Man Utd have five shirt numbers free if free agent winger joins today

Examining Man Utd's next five Premier League games

Manchester United have five realistic numbers they could hand out in the unlikely case a free-agent winger joins the club today. Erik ten Hag has a right-wing crisis on his hands and has reportedly been offered a few budget options to reinforce his attacking ranks in the 11th hour.

United entered the new season with Antony, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo as the competition on the attack’s right side.

Mason Greenwood was also being lined up for a return, according to The Athletic, before mass online backlash and a small protest at Old Trafford prompted a dramatic U-turn.

Now, Greenwood is on loan at Getafe to resume his career, and United approach Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion with potentially one natural candidate to start.

Antony started all four of United’s opening games this term and was by no means Ten Hag’s worst player in a mixed bag of results.

But the 23-year-old has mutually agreed a leave of absence while he addresses allegations of abuse from three former girlfriends in Brazilian media. Antony has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Sancho’s Old Trafford career is in a state of flux amid reported showdown talks with Ten Hag after their public spat earlier this month.

READ MORE Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag warned of ‘crisis’ by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ex-coach[INTERVIEW]

Ten Hag excluded Sancho from his squad for the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal before the international break, admitting his decision was due to poor training performances.

But the United No 25 responded shortly after with an explosive social media statement effectively calling his manager a liar. It would be a shock if he started against Brighton.

Anwar El Ghazi, Oussama Idrissi and Karim Bellarabi have reportedly been offered to the Red Devils in the meantime.

And if United take up an opportunity before the 2pm Premier League squad submission deadline on Wednesday, there are five realistic numbers on offer.

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The No 13 shirt is the only one in the first 20, other than the No 3 shirt left behind by Eric Bailly this summer, but the latter would likely be saved for a defensive signing.

Numbers 26, 27, 31 and 37 are also available. Wingers have donned the No 26 in the past, while the others pose as the next best thing to the iconic No 7 and No 11 shirts at Old Trafford.

With Amad injured, it opens the door for Pellistri unless Ten Hag plans to push Bruno Fernandes out wide this weekend. Mason Mount may also be in the Dutchman’s thinking once he returns from injury.

But with Antony’s situation far from certain and Sancho expected to look for a January exit, Ten Hag may be keen on a short-term fix.

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