Man Utd’s DNA is a subject that has been done to death over the past 10 years. Less a real thing than a collection of vague notions used by pundits and failed managers to highlight how far the club has fallen from grace, it’s usage went into overdrive under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Here was a man who, like Moses, had been to the top of Old Trafford and returned with the complete, unabridged United commandments.

Commandment one: Thy shall add a ‘Y’ to all players’ names.

Commandment two: Players must delight in expressing themselves (tactics optional).

And so on…

The truth is that, unlike say, Ajax or Barcelona, United don’t have an inflexible doctrine. Fans have preferences, largely shaped by the club’s history of tragedy and triumph. Given a choice, they’d prefer to win the league playing fast, attacking football with youngsters born within 15 miles of the ground. It’s not especially radical and would fit on a pamphlet as easily as a stone tablet.

The club’s fanbase is so diverse that reaching a consensus on any subject is tricky. That said, one thing most Reds’ fans do love – or demand – is skillful, exciting wingers. Again, hardly unique to Manchester United, but it is something that always comes up when wading through talk of DNA. Yet, over the past decade, United have failed so badly in this particular position that some supporters would have considered bringing end-of-days Nani back to Old Trafford.

For a club synonymous with wing wizards, the last decade has been an absolute wasteland. Where once fans marvelled at Best, Giggs, Ronaldo and Kanchelskis, lately they’ve had to make do with Lingard, Memphis, Sanchez and Dan James.

That might finally be about to change.

If you were constructing the perfect modern winger, they’d probably look a lot like new signing, Antony. Fast, effective, creator and scorer – the Brazilian looks the real deal. At just 22 he has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in European football. He’s already played 9 times for his country and averaged roughly a goal involvement every other game in last season’s Champions League. In short, he’s got pedigree.

But Antony is much more than basic stats might show. He’s got the swagger and confidence to dip liberally into his outrageous box of tricks and has a touch of Arjen Robben’s ability to drop the shoulder and curl unstoppable shots towards goal. He’s the kind of player who not only gets bums off seats but mixes up the Jogo Bonito with defensive graft. He might well be the most naturally gifted winger the club has signed in over a decade.

Neck on the line time – he’s better than Gabriel Obertan.

Assuming the £85m man settles quickly, United’s right side might finally be sorted then. Which leaves the well-stocked but wildly variable quality of the left side. It’s expected that Jadon Sancho will claim the position and there are signs that the former Dortmund flyer is finally finding his feet.

Sancho might not have Antony’s raw pace, but he does have the tricks, vision and football brain. He’s the kind of player who flourishes in a defined system and needs to form on-pitch relationships to be at his devastating best. If he can strike up an understanding with Tyrell Malacia, the conditions could be in place for him to recapture the form that made him one of football’s hottest properties.

However, the importance of dazzling wingers goes beyond entertainment. Modern football is all about breaking structures, creating space and moving the ball quickly. Antony alone would demand constant attention from at least one opposition defender, freeing up space elsewhere. If a rival side doubled up on both Antony and Sancho, that would create big spaces for the rest of the attack to exploit. It helps that both are talented enough to beat even two opponents with a flash of skill or perfectly weighted pass. In this respect, Sancho and Antony could be the most balanced, complimentary wing pair since Ronaldo and Nani danced their way to a Champions League title in 2008.

Ultimately though, there’s something deeper than tactics in United fans’ craving for exhilarating wing play. The very best wide men remain one of the few positions that get to revel in playing for playing’s sake. While they might have tactical responsibilities, unofficially at least, it’s their job to bring the joy. Yes, they can frustrate and yes, they can be unreliable and inconsistent. But the sight of a full Stretford End bolting out of their seats to behold a moment of wing brilliance has been absent for way too long. It goes beyond team orders. It’s something primal.

In Sancho and Antony, fans might finally have a pair of twinkle toed magicians who can bring the fun back to the red side of Manchester. It promises to be a wild ride.