Manchester United will line up against Bayern Munich without their first and second-choice right wingers - while one they missed out on plays for the opposition.
Following allegations of assault from multiple women - all of which he denies - regular starter Antony has been given a leave of absence Old Trafford chiefs, while Jadon Sancho has been banished from first-team training after publicly calling out manager Erik ten Hag and allegedly refusing to apologise. That's £158million worth of talent unavailable for selection ahead of Wednesday's mammoth group stage opener in Munich.
But seeing who lines up on Bayern's right flank will give the Red Devils hierarchy a thought of what might've been. That's because Serge Gnabry is set to be deployed in the role for the Bundesliga giants, having been a target for United in recent years and links resurfacing on the eve of Wednesday's fixture.
Last July, when Ten Hag was still getting his feet under the table at Old Trafford and Ajax were holding firm on their £85m asking price for Antony, it emerged that United and arch rivals Man City were keen on signing Gnabry. Within a fortnight of reports emerging, the Germany international signed a lucrative new contract.
That eventually resulted in the Red Devils bending to Ajax's demands for Antony, only for him to endure a mixed first season and so far turbulent second year at Old Trafford. In 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United had stumped up £73m to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho, who was considered a brighter talent than Gnabry when it came to Bundesliga wingers.
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Now with Sancho, 23, out in the cold after infuriating Ten Hag with a social media post - effectively accusing his boss of lying about his reasons for keeping him out of the matchday squad earlier this month - the thought of Gnabry playing for United is an intriguing one for fans. Unfortunately for those keen, it's still an unlikely prospect.
Have your say! Should Manchester United bid for Serge Gnabry? Let us your stance know in the comments section.
Manchester United have been linked with signing Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)Having recently turned 28, the former Arsenal flop - who reforged his career with Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim - is tied down at the Allianz Arena until 2026, where he hopes to show Ten Hag and co what they missed out on come Wednesday night. That's if he starts, of course, as the German was replaced by Bayern youngster Mathys Tel after 69 minutes last Friday during a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
That followed two quiet performances during the international break but Gnabry will be hoping to kickstart his sixth season in Bavaria when the Red Devils come to town. Bayern will have blockbuster signing Harry Kane leading the line, an ideal focal point for the 28-year-old to operate alongside, with ex-City ace Leroy Sane on the opposite flank.
Should Gnabry shine, the Old Trafford transfer team will have a hard time prising him away in January or beyond, as the star declared after signing his new contract last summer: "I thought a lot about what I want as a player in the coming years, and came to the conclusion that I want to stay at FC Bayern, win everything again here and experience things - in particular celebrating another Champions League title, but this time with our fans.
"It's special because I get to play here with my friends at the highest level. It certainly wouldn't feel the same at a different club. I want to experience more great moments here - and nowhere else. The hunger for major honours isn't going away."
Good luck with this one, Erik.
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