Manchester United are being given the chance to renew interest in a forgotten transfer target

Three years ago Manchester United needed a new forward and pushed to sign a left-footer who would have added quality and balance to their attack.

In 2022 the situation is similar and as part of Erik ten Hag’s renewal of his squad an attacker is next on the agenda, ideally one who again brings some balance with a preference for using his left foot.

This time Ajax right-winger Antony is top of Ten Hag’s list, unsurprisingly given the new manager’s focus on signing players he is familiar with, but the 22-year-old could be priced out of a move. After just two seasons in European football, he still has an awful lot to prove as well.

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In 2019, Paulo Dybala was top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wishlist, only for his wage demands to scupper a deal. Dybala wasn’t convinced about joining a club outside of the Champions League and his requested salary made it clear money might be the only balm to soothe a season in the Europa League.

United did the right thing by walking away from that transfer but as the deal to sign Frenkie de Jong is proving this summer, if Old Trafford and a project to return to the Champions League is the only offer on the table it’s much harder to say no to.

Since rejecting United it’s been a testing few years for Dybala, with Juventus finishing fourth in the previous two Serie A campaigns. On Thursday, Dybala’s contract with Juve expired, and he’s essentially unemployed from today.

Despite his status as a free agent this summer there’s been no inclination at Old Trafford to revisit a deal, perhaps once bitten twice shy after the experience of 2019, but there’s little doubt Dybala would improve this team.

The 28-year-old