Manchester United’s scouts will be keeping an eye out for one man in particular on Monday night, and it’s not Antoine Semenyo.
Manchester United face AFC Bournemouth on Monday evening, in what is sure to be a tough test for Rúben Amorim’s side.
While Andoni Iraola’s side is among the best to watch in the Premier League, they haven’t won in the last six, with the last win coming against Nottingham Forest at the end of October.
United faced Bournemouth in pre-season and came out eventual 4-1 winners. Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu netted in the first half, before goals from Amad and young Ethan Williams – on loan at Falkirk this season – sealed victory.
It would have been a clean sheet if it hadn’t been for an unlucky deflection of Matthijs de Ligt.
United will be hoping for another good performance against the Cherries, but they won’t know who can play just yet. Amad, Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo are all departing for the African Cup of Nations, but it isn’t clear if they will before or after Monday night’s game.
Bournemouth don’t face the same worry with Antoine Semenyo, though. The Ghanaian won’t be travelling for the AFCON as his country didn’t qualify for the competition.
Wilcox set for scouting mission
Bournemouth’s trip to Old Trafford on Monday night will be a great opportunity for United’s recruitment staff to look at Semenyo, who has a £65 million release clause for the first days of the January window.
However, the main focus could be on Tyler Adams. At the beginning of the month, Adams was linked with an Old Trafford switch by The Daily Mail, but little has been heard since.
Perhaps United are waiting to see how the American international performs under the Old Trafford floodlights before making an official approach for him.
Adams’ profile is similar to summer target Carlos Baleba – he is a high-energy player, who can progress the ball through passing and dribbling – but he hasn’t suffered a huge drop off this season, so he may have overtaken the Brighton midfielder in the shortlist.
Jason Wilcox will be watching closely on Monday night. Adams should be the freshest player on the pitch; he was unavailable for Bournemouth’s last match against Chelsea due to a one-game suspension for five yellow cards.
Adams could be the perfect January signing
The original links didn’t state a price tag for Adams, but, at 26 years old, they are unlikely to demand a fee based on potential, rather than current ability.
He could be the perfect option for Amorim’s midfield, especially if the former Sporting CP boss wants to adopt a more aggressive pressing strategy, as he did in the second half against Crystal Palace.
If United can agree on a lower fee for Adams, he could be the perfect January signing. United could still look to sign another defensive midfielder in the summer window, while letting both Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro leave.
Whatever Bournemouth’s demands, Adams is likely to be available for less than Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton. His signing would make sense.
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