Man Utd send scouts to watch former Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo as Red Devils eye replacement for £85m flop Antony

According to The Sun, United scouts have been present to watch Kubo in action for La Liga club Real Sociedad seven times already this season, including his Man of the Match display in a 0-0 draw against Real Betis last weekend. The Basque club would be willing to accept a bid in the region of £43m ($54m) for Kubo, who left Real Madrid in the summer after failing to break into Carlo Ancelotti's senior squad.

The report adds that Ten Hag is eager to replace Antony after the forward's poor start to life at United. Since moving to Old Trafford from Ajax in September 2022, the Brazilian has only managed to register eight goals and three assists in 62 appearances. United could even offer Antony to Real Sociedad on loan in a bid to close a deal for Kubo, who is under contract with La Real until 2027.

Kubo has 28 goal contributions to his name from 67 games in a Real Sociedad shirt to date, having initially joined the club on loan in July last year. The former Madrid starlet, who also took in a spell at Barcelona's La Masia academy as a youngster, has also been strongly linked with Napoli, but United plan to continue monitoring his progress in the coming months.

For now, United will have to make do with Antony and their current crop of wingers ahead of a crucial festive period, with a tricky away fixture against West Ham up next on Saturday as they bid to close the gap on the Premier League's top-four. Kubo, meanwhile, will be back in La Liga action with sixth-placed Sociedad when they take in a trip to Cadiz on Friday night.