United View: Ten Hag's right wing dilemma

On Sunday, Manchester United released a statement announcing that Antony would take a “period of absence” in order to address allegations of assault against a former partner. 

Antony was also removed from the Brazilian national team and the player mutually agreed with United to temporarily part ways. Adding he wanted to “avoid distraction to my teammates and unnecessary controversy for the club.” 

With this, it leaves Erik Ten Hag without his first-choice right winger. Antony has started every game of the new campaign and has been a mainstay since his £82m move from Ajax last summer. 

So, who does Ten Hag bring in for the Red's vacant right-wing position? 

He could reintroduce Jadon Sancho, although that could be tricky after their public disagreement following the club’s 3-1 defeat at Arsenal. Ten Hag felt Sancho wasn’t performing well in training, which the player essentially said wasn’t true. 

While you can argue that Ten Hag should have kept the reason for Sancho’s absence private, it wasn’t close to Mourinho's levels of damnation. After Ten Hag gave the player three months away from the first team last season, perhaps he wanted to try a new tactic to get a reaction from the player. 

Ultimately, I don’t think Sancho should have released a statement, especially one so soon after the manager's comments. And with the two set to hold talks this week, it could make or break Jadon Sancho’s future at Old Trafford. 

Ten Hag could opt for Bruno Fernandes to fill in, who played there several times last season. However, Bruno is much more effective through the middle and would only be to the detriment of the team to put him out wide. 

Mason Mount could potentially be used as a stopgap once he returns from injury, having played on the wings in the past for Chelsea. Ten Hag has used Mount as a central midfielder since his arrival but at least he is an option should it come to it. 

But if you ask any Manchester United fan who they think should be given the opportunity on the right, the consensus will say Facundo Pellistri. The Uruguayan has impressed whenever making an appearance and is the most natural option for that position. 

The fact that the club rejected loan moves this summer for the player suggests that he is in the manager's plans. And with few other options, the player’s patience could finally be rewarded with his first-ever start in the Premier League. 

It could also be an opportunity for Amad Diallo to see some first-team football once he recovers from the knee injury he sustained in pre-season. The Ivorian shone on loan at Sunderland last season, being named the fans PFA Player of the Year. 

Whether the player can make the step-up from Championship to Premier League football is yet to be seen but he’s yet another option for Ten Hag when he is finally back fit. 

It’s yet another dilemma for Ten Hag to resolve as if he hasn’t had enough to contend with since the start of the new season. And with two tough upcoming fixtures against Brighton and Bayern Munich, it only makes his decision more difficult. 

The off-field issues seem to once again be overshadowing the actual football. It’s something that United need to move away from and aim to keep their matters behind closed doors, although some of it is unavoidable. 

Still, Ten Hag must be sick as any United fan from all the drama that’s surrounded the club in recent years. In a few weeks maybe this will all be dealt with but for the manager, it’s just one more problem that needs to be addressed.