Ten Hag has been tracking the £86 million+ rated attacker since his time at Ajax.

Manchester United is being linked with a move for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The Sun claims United has been scouting Mudryk, and that manager Erik ten Hag has been monitoring him since his time at Ajax

Mudryk, 21, is one of Europe’s most wanted attackers, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists this season, which includes three goals in the Champions League.

The winger is expected to be sold in the upcoming transfer window with Shakhtar looking to cash in.

Shakhtar’s deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini told Calciomercato that he rates Mudryk higher than Antony, from an economic perspective.

He said: “Is €40 million enough to buy him? We do not speak to these figures. Not even for fifty, we don’t even call the president to make the offer. We value Mudryk more than Manchester United’s Antony, who cost €100 million.”

January move unlikely

It is very difficult to foresee Manchester United paying this kind of money for any player in the January transfer window.

United is more likely to skip the auction on Mudryk and hope that the hype around him slows a little, pushing his price tag down to a more realistic figure next summer, with Shakhtar’s demands scaring teams off.

Shakhtar was recently eliminated from the Champions League, they face Rennes in the Europa League play-off round.

Mudryk was praised by Thierry Henry on BT Sport earlier this season, who said: “I have seen him play for Ukraine and he was pretty impressive. I like his directness. I get annoyed sometimes when wingers always come to the ball.

“If you have space in behind and you see the grass, then just go and run at people. I always like that he plays one v one. He’s a good player

Mudryk, 21, is clearly talented, but it is debatable whether Manchester United even needs to sign him.

He plays as a left winger, a position where Manchester United already are overloaded with options, especially thanks to the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho over the past few weeks.

Erik ten Hag’s desire to improve is relentless, so while this shouldn’t be ruled out entirely next summer, it is more likely United’s funds are spent on a striker.