Manchester United might be forced into another bizarre signing to solve winger issue

When was the last time a year went by and Manchester United weren't forced to sign a temporary solution to plug gaps in the squad? Think back to Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer.

It's already happened this season with the signings of Sergio Reguilon and Jonny Evans. For years now United have relied on loans, free agents and signings no other top team would touch to compensate for their incompetence.

Sometimes problems can't be foreseen or helped. You're unlucky if you're two senior left-backs get injured at the same time and you have to sign some cover. But the fact this continues to happen to United betrays their lowly status in comparison to the teams they're aiming to compete with.

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You don't see Manchester City scrambling for players on loan. Arsenal aren't dipping down into the bargain bin to see what they can find. Liverpool are never scrapping the free-agent barrel out of desperation. But for years United have been.

It's unbefitting of a club that wants to be elite and they're probably going to have to do it again at some point over the next few months. Circumstances have fallen cruelly, even if United have hardly helped themselves, and they're now without any senior right-wingers despite spending over £160m on the position in recent years.

Antony is currently on a leave of absence after facing allegations of abuse from three women in Brazil and Erik ten Hag has 'no idea' when he'll be back. Jadon Sancho is out of the first-team squad indefinitely and might never play for the club again after a bust-up with the manager.

That leaves United