Manchester United appear to be gearing up to join the transfer race to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo after watching the tricky winger score at Old Trafford on Monday night.
It was a game to remember at Old Trafford for the neutrals. Manchester United drew 4-4 with Bournemouth after taking the lead three times throughout the match.
Ruben Amorim will see it as a lost opportunity to move to fifth in the Premier League, before the Red Devils take on high-flying Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
United threw away the chance to secure three points against Bournemouth due to shoddy defending. It didn’t help that United were missing key defensive personnel, including Matthijs de Ligt, who had become a mainstay in defence before his injury.
Man Utd’s starting XI had an interesting shape vs Bournemouth
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Man Utd average position vs Bournemouth
Man Utd average position vs Bournemouth
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United have been linked with several Bournemouth players, so Amorim would have been keeping an eye on some potential targets, such as Tyler Adams, who was unfortunate to go off injured in the first half.
Adams isn’t the only Bournemouth player on United’s radar, though.
Antoine Semenyo scoring against Manchester United
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Man Utd rival Man City and Tottenham for Antoine Semenyo
Bournemouth talisman Semenyo has been linked with a move to United since the summer.
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United signed Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford before passing on the chance to sign Semenyo, but Ineos remain interested in the Ghana international.
According to Sky Sports, United and Man City are ‘firmly’ in the race to sign Semenyo from Bournemouth.
The 25-year-old forward has a £65 million release clause in his contract, which becomes active on January 1. That means the race to secure Semenyo’s signature could begin in the winter transfer window rather than the end of the season.
It remains to be seen if United will be busy in the January transfer window, but they may need to act quickly if they want to sign the Ghana star.
Should Man Utd pay Antoine Semenyo’s £65m release clause in January?
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The report adds that City are keeping tabs on developments with Semenyo, with Tottenham keen – while some insiders believe Pep Guardiola’s side are leading the race.
That doesn’t stop United from being considered ‘serious rivals’, while Liverpool operates quietly in the background amid uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield.
Antoine Semenyo stats from dramatic Man Utd draw
Semenyo added to his tally of goals for Bournemouth (29) at Old Trafford on Monday night.
In his 100th appearance for Bournemouth, Semenyo found the back of the net for a seventh time this season. He has scored one more Premier League goal than Mbeumo.
Semenyo played 90 minutes against United and scored one of Bournemouth’s four goals in the 4-4 draw.
He also made seven defensive contributions and touched the ball 45 times.
Leny Yoro appeared to keep Semenyo quiet at the beginning of the match, but Bournemouth scored shortly after switching to the opposite flank, where he got the better of Luke Shaw for his goal.
It was Semenyo’s third goal against United.
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