Manchester United could well be active in the January transfer window. It seems as though one of their main targets is a new attacker, if the opportunity arises, and it might well do.
United are reportedly one of the sides vying for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
Ruben Amorim's side will have a real battle on their hands if they are to secure the Ghanaian winger. He has a release clause of just £65m and is wanted by Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, too. It will certainly not be an easy deal to do.
Antoine-Semenyo-vs-Man-Utd-forwards
However, if they do win the race to sign Semenyo, he will instantly elevate the quality of the squad.
Why Amorim is so keen to sign Semenyo
If the Red Devils were to bring Semenyo to Old Trafford this winter, they would be signing a player who has been one of the most in-form in the Premier League throughout the 2025/26 season.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their first goal
He has been exceptional in the first half of the campaign for the Cherries, with his pace and directness on the wing something which has terrified defences.
The 25-year-old has scored seven goals and assisted three in just 15 appearances.
Aside from the numbers, Semenyo offers Amorim excellent tactical versatility. The Ghanaian international is a winger by trade, though, like Amorim has done with Bryan Mbeumo, he could play him as one of the number 10s behind the striker.
However, we might also see him play as a wing-back on the left flank. This is something the Red Devils boss reportedly “admires” about him.
It arguably makes more sense, too, given he would be occupying similar zones to the ones he operates in as a winger. Amorim has seen success with a similar move on the opposite side with Amad, and could look to replicate it.
AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo reacts after the match
As gifted a player as Semenyo is, however, United arguably have a player at the club with even more talent.
Man Utd already have a bigger talent than Semenyo
United’s esteemed Carrington academy has produced its fair share of great players. In the last few years alone, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and, more recently, Kobbie Mainoo have all gone on to do great things.
It seems like the next up off the production line is JJ Gabriel. At just 15 years of age, he is regarded as one of the best talents in the world, even getting described as being “already better than Premier League players” despite not yet making his first-team debut.
Yet, he is a talent that Amoirm rates highly. Gabriel has trained with the first team numerous times this season. Club captain Bruno Fernandes has ensured he feels part of the group and has been “especially welcoming” to the teenager.
Looking at his stats from this season, it is easy to see why the England under-16 international is a player so well thought of.
Gabriel has made 13 appearances across all competitions so far this term, and has 11 goals and one assist. He bagged this goal in the FA Youth Cup 3rd round against Peterborough United.
At the start of the campaign, he was unstoppable in front of goal. He scored and assisted eight goals in the first six Under-18 Premier League games, against players who were several years older.
Gabriel form in first 6 U18 PL games
Opponent
Everton (A)
Middlesbrough (H)
Derby (A)
Burnley (H)
Wolves (A)
Man City (H)
Stats from Transfermarkt
Gabriel is also an extremely versatile player. He’s operated out wide on the left, as a number 10 and at centre-forward this season. Looking ahead to the future, that is certainly transferable to Amorim’s system, which infamously uses two number 10s and a number nine.
There are certainly lots of reasons to be excited about Gabriel’s talent, with INEOS even fending off Barcelona to keep him onboard over the summer. For comparison, at the age of 14, Semenyo was being rejected by the likes Arsenal and Spurs.
United fans would surely love for such a highly-rated player to become a first-teamer at Old Trafford one day, with deals for the likes of Semenyo perhaps not as essential considering there is another gem already brewing at Carrington.
Man-Utd-Amad-Ivory-Coast Related
[Amad upgrade: Man Utd in talks "this week" to sign "unplayable" PL talent](https://www.footballfancast.com/amad-upgrade-man-utd-in-talks-this-week-to-sign-antoine-semenyo/ "Amad upgrade: Man Utd in talks "this week" to sign "unplayable" PL talent")
Manchester United's search for new attack-minded wing-backs appears to be stepping up.