Manchester United had high hopes for Antony but the Brazilian finds himself in a potential make-or-break season at Old Trafford.
Manchester United fans won’t want to remember the 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Brentford back in 2022.
United were absolutely dreadful and deservedly went into half-time 4-0 down Erik ten Hag simply had to bring in more signings after such a hammering in West London.
The cash was certainly splashed in the weeks after that defeat as Brazilian duo Casemiro and Antony arrived before the window slammed shut.
United agreed to pay up to £155million for the two players with Casemiro coming in for up to £70million and Antony for up to £85million.
More than two years on, Antony looks to be one of the worst investments in recent history at United.
Dutch pundit on Antony future
The Brazilian winger started so well, scoring three in his first three games as a United player.
Antony has scored just two Premier League goals since then and his tally of three assists in 56 Premier League games just isn’t good enough for a winger.
The 24-year-old now finds himself on the fringes having played just 27 minutes of Premier League action this term.
Reports have suggested that United would now be willing to take around £40million for Antony ahead of the January transfer window.
There have been suggestions in the Netherlands that a return to Ajax could make sense for all parties come January.
ESPN commentator Sjors Blaauw and pundit Anco Jansen have now discussed such a move, as quoted by FC Update in the Netherlands.
Jansen – a former Eredivisie striker in his playing days – suggested that Antony would be a great signing for Ajax as he was a ‘real spectacle’ for the club in the past.
Jansen noted that Ajax can’t really afford to buy Antony though and questioned whether the club would really want to strike a loan deal.
Blaauw added that he now feels that Antony has suffered a loss of confidence at United with both worried that he may not be able to repeat his previous displays.
“As Ajax, do you want to rent a player like that? I don’t think you can take him over, because Ajax is not going to pay what they are still asking for him,” said Jansen.
“In terms of quality, I would immediately say: Yes. It is a completely different level than the Premier League and I thought he was a real spectacle here in the Netherlands. Only: will he still reach that level?”
“I think he has had a huge blow, when you are sold for so much money and you are actually such a huge mistake that they now want to rent you out to Ajax… I think that does a lot to a player mentally,” added Blaauw.
Antony surely in last chance saloon
Erik ten Hag wanted United to sign Antony after the pair worked together with such success at Ajax.
United backed Ten Hag and spent huge money on Antony but the deal simply hasn’t worked out.
Now struggling for action, Antony may well be in the final stages of his United career.
Whether it’s in January or next summer, Antony will surely be on his way out for his own good.
Drifting down the United pecking order is no good for Antony and with no sign of a change in circumstances, a 2025 exit should be in mind for all involved.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/ESJWVoI