Man Utd 'scouting' £30m former Tottenham star liked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe amid Antony struggles

Manchester United are reportedly 'scouting' Sporting CP winger Marcus Edwards with Erik ten Hag keen to bolster his attack in the summer.

Ten Hag will almost certainly be in the market for attacking reinforcements ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, following another season in which goals have been a problem. United's total of 24 in the Premier League is better than only Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United.

FootballTransfers now reports that United have turned to Edwards as a potential option this summer, following his continued form for Sporting. The 25-year-old winger has four goals and three assists in 16 league games this season and the report adds that there is hope a deal can be done for around £30million.

Right-wing has been a particular area of concern at United, with first-choice Antony yet to register a single goal or assist in 22 appearances across all competitions. Jadon Sancho was an alternative option but has joined Borussia Dortmund on loan, following a public fallout with Ten Hag in September. His future beyond this season is unclear but a return under the current manager is unlikely.

Facundo Pellistri has not started a game for United since September and has been heavily linked with a loan move to Granada this month, having fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag. Amad Diallo returned from a long-term injury against Nottingham Forest last month and was preferred to Pellistri off the bench at the City Ground.

United also look set to lose Anthony Martial in the summer, with the striker's current contract expiring in June and the club opting against activating a 12-month extension. Martial's agent recently insisted he will play out the final months of that deal but after undergoing surgery on a groin issue, he will be out for around 10 weeks.

Edwards is a product of Tottenham's academy who made the move to Portugal in 2019, initially joining Vitoria de Guimaraes before being picked up by Sporting in 2022. The England youth international has consistently impressed in Lisbon and starred against his former side in the Champions League group stages last season.

Tottenham have been linked with interest in their former academy player and reports in Portugal suggest they have a clause in which they can take him back for 65% of his release clause, believed to be £52m. However it is unlikely this would be true, given they sold him to Vitoria de Guimaraes and so made no agreement with Sporting.