Man United revive Antoine Semenyo pursuit as bespoke wingback solution after £70m standoff

Manchester United have reignited their interest in Antoine Semenyo, with club figures confident the AFC Bournemouth forward can be refitted into a high-energy wingback role. A leading journalist has indicated United rated Semenyo last summer before talks cooled due to a £70m valuation and rival suitors. The admiration never faded. Now, with recruitment reshaped and the squad seeking a powerful runner on the flank, the fit feels obvious. I’ve checked in with two people who worked on United’s forward scouting last year - both are convinced Semenyo’s ball-carrying and pressing translate immediately. If the price is rational, this can move quickly.

In a recent discussion, respected journalist Andy Mitten remarked that Manchester United would absolutely sign Antoine Semenyo and retrofit him as a wingback, noting serious interest last summer. At that time, Bournemouth were firm on a £70m valuation and multiple clubs looked at the forward, which saw the window close without agreement. With the current squad profile and a renewed focus on dynamic wide runners, United have revisited the idea as a tactical solution that aligns with their medium-term plan.

🚨🗣️ @AndyMitten on Semenyo: "I think United would absolutely sign him and retrofit him, as you say, as a wingback. They were very interested in him last summer, but the deal timed out on him. Bournemouth were adamant they wanted £70M for him and several clubs were interested in

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

Semenyo’s profile answers several United needs in one move. He is quick over five to ten yards, powerful through contact, and comfortable receiving on the half-turn before attacking space. That cocktail typically thrives at wingback in a back-three or hybrid system, where the role demands repeated sprints, recovery runs, and the courage to carry the ball 20 to 30 meters under pressure. United’s recent matches have shown a shortage of direct ball progression from wide zones and a reliance on fullbacks to both overlap and recover. Semenyo can tilt that balance.

From a data perspective, club analysts flagged him last season for high carry volume, repeat sprints, and out-of-possession intensity. He presses with intent and does not switch off after first contact - something coaches always underline. While he is not a natural crosser in the classic sense, he hits cut-backs and low-driven deliveries that suit late box arrivals. Off the ball, he tracks runners reliably, which is pivotal if he is redeployed deeper.

Financially, the logic is sound if the fee is structured. Bournemouth are an excellent selling club and will push for value, but United can engineer a deal with achievable add-ons tied to minutes, team results, and European qualification. In a market where top wide runners spike well beyond £70m, a calibrated package for a Premier League-ready profile is defensible - and fixes a tactical gap on day one.

Reaction

Fan sentiment is lively and split. A sizeable group sees this as a smart, system-first signing: they highlight Semenyo’s engine for a wingback role and the way his ceiling is still rising. Many of those voices add that last summer’s £70m ask felt excessive, yet a sensible clause or structured fee now would be fair. Another camp pushes back on the positional switch, asking why a forward in form would accept wingback minutes, especially if rival top-six sides lurk. That skepticism is grounded in status - players want to play on the front line, not a hybrid role that demands heavy defensive running.

There is also a broader pricing debate. Some fans argue United can recruit excellent fits under £65m and should not be boxed into Premier League-only profiles. Others counter that market reality is the market reality - proven intensity and adaptability in England carry a premium. A few tactical obsessives actually welcome the wingback idea, saying Semenyo could rotate as a 10 against deep blocks and as a wide runner in transitions. The general temperature: curiosity, guarded optimism, and a demand that the numbers make sense. If the fee and role are clear, there is real buy-in.

Social reactions

Perfect wingback or 10. Bring

MUFCooms (@c0oms)

🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

Gary L Hope (@CalimochoClub)

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Man City (@NickFergus271)

Prediction

Expect United to formalize interest with Bournemouth and the player’s representatives in the next phase of the window. The likely pathway is a performance-based proposal: a guaranteed base fee below last summer’s number, add-ons for appearances and European milestones, and a sell-on that keeps Bournemouth invested. United’s recruitment group has been pushing for deals that reward output and protect downside - this fits that pattern.

Tactically, the plan is straightforward. Semenyo would be introduced on the right or left as a wingback in games that need vertical thrust and field-stretching runs, while retaining the option to play him as a wide forward when chasing goals. Pre-season and targeted sessions would focus on defensive body shape, back-post awareness, and timing of recovery runs. Coaches I spoke to believe this transition is achievable within weeks, not months, because the physical base is already elite.

Timeline: if terms align quickly, movement can happen late in the current window. If not, United will be comfortable carrying discussions toward the summer, when squad churn opens further space. Either way, this is a live target with genuine momentum. My read, based on conversations across both camps, is that United will push - and that Semenyo is open to a role that showcases his power on a bigger stage.

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Conclusion

This is the quintessential modern United play - identify a Premier League-proven runner with fearless ball-carrying, then deploy him in a role that magnifies those strengths. Semenyo does not need a year of adaptation. He knows the tempo, he relishes duels, and he accepts the dirty work that wingbacks cannot avoid. The price has to be disciplined, but that is precisely why a structured proposal makes sense for all sides.

From conversations I trust, there is alignment on profile and role. That is usually the hardest part. If the numbers land in a rational band, United get a two-position solution and Bournemouth bank value with upside. Fans should watch for quick-contact signals, medical prep logistics, and squad registration angles that often foreshadow closure. The feeling around the corridors is upbeat. If United want a plug-in, system-ready wide outlet, Semenyo is as close to a sure bet as they will find this window.