Manchester United are continuing with their interest in Antoine Semenyo, and Rúben Amorim’s plans for the Bournemouth winger have now been revealed.
Manchester United faced AFC Bournemouth on Monday evening, with Antoine Semenyo impressing on his Old Trafford trial.
The former Bristol City forward levelled the game at 1-1 before Casemiro gave United a 2-1 lead heading into half-time.
While he didn’t score again, Semenyo was one of the more dangerous players on the pitch and came close to a second on multiple occasions.
United came close to signing the attacker in the summer transfer window, with reports stating that Rúben Amorim sat with Semenyo for dinner before the United States pre-season tour.
While a deal wasn’t agreed then, Semenyo remains available and reportedly has a £65 million release clause for the first 10 days of the new year.
Amorim’s Semenyo plan
With United so heavily linked to Semenyo, many have questioned where the Ghana international would play in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
Recent reports have suggested that Amorim could change his shape, meaning Semenyo would have to play as one of the front three. But in the current system, the Bournemouth winger could play as a forward or as a wing-back.
Speaking on Back Pages – a Sky Sports podcast – Miguel Delaney revealed Amorim’s plans for Semenyo if he were to join: “One of the reasons that Amorim particularly likes him is another reason why everyone wants him, because he can play in a range of positions.
“So from what I was told yesterday, obviously United and Amorim would want to use him in attack given he’s been so strong there, but they also see a value in that he provides a really strong option as an attacking wing back in this.
“Amorim obviously isn’t moving from this system, as it’s been one of the themes of the season, even if there are minor tweaks in it.”
Amad’s hopes remain
If Semenyo joined to play as a wing-back, Amad could be without a position in the side, or could he?
Delaney continued to say: “But from what I’m told, he [Amorim] can envisage a team with Semenyo on one side and [Amad] Diallo on the other, and United kind of tearing at teams from all angles in that way, and that might have surprised people.
“But if you do speak to people in football, there’s actually a logic to this, especially with how attacking that position can be if used in the right way.
“Yes, wing-back sounds defensive, but it all depends on deployment, and I think Semenyo can be devastating from there. But yeah, I mean, United like him, but so do a lot of teams.”
United’s potential 3-4-2-1 with Semenyo:
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Semenyo; Mbeumo, Šeško, Cunha
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