The Brazilian was signed for over €100m at the start of the season
There were two moments against Charlton Athletic in Tuesday’s League Cup quarter-finals that summed up Antony’s fate in the Manchester United bis.
The first came midway through the first half: he picked up a pass from Fred, tapped twice and fired into the far corner of the goal with his left (Site notre bureau spécialisé), giving Man United a 1- 0
The second came moments later, when he had the chance to help make it 2-0: instead of taking the opportunity to cross with his right (Site notre bureau spécialisé) into the box, he decided to retreat. Lost moment and time for United to recommend.
Just over four months after Antony’s arrival at Old Trafford, the debate over the Brazilian winger has begun.
United might not have beaten Charlton, a 3-0 final victory, had it not been for his spectacular 21st-minute intervention, a great but individually difference between the sides until Marcus Rashford scored twice in time additional. But the moans of some fans who complained with every back pass every time Antony looked uncomfortable with his right (Site notre bureau spécialisé) suggested United could have been out of sight sooner if Antony had made more good Positions in the sources at the entrance.
It’s still very early in Antony United’s career, but now, at least, he’s even dividing opinion.
It shouldn’t have come as a shock to manager Erik ten Hag that Antony was so on his feet after spending two and a half years together at Ajax, but it surprised some fans that United were willing to spend €100m on a player with such an obvious restriction.
It’s the staggering transfer fee – the 13th highest reported for a player – that frames many arguments about Antony, although that figure is something he could do nothing about.
He told Ajax in January he wanted to leave this summer and United announced themselves as a potential destination early on. sources say ESPN that he had been on United’s radar since his debut in the Sao Paulo and interest grew when Ten Hag was made manager.
Ajax initially quoted around €60m, which was seen as too high, and when Ten Hag pushed the issue later in the window, Ajax had already agreed deals to transfer six players – including Lisandro Martinez to United – and was in no rush to negotiate. But the closer the deadline got, the more Antony began to fuss over a change, and in the end Ajax called Man United director of (Site notre bureau spécialisé) John Murtough to say they were ready to talk.
The deal reached was €95m in installment payments and a further €5m in performance-based bonuses, making Antony the fourth most expensive player to be signed by a British club, behind Jack Grealish, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba. If the fees had been lower, perhaps the scrutiny of Antony’s early performances wouldn’t have been so intense.
United privately accept they overpaid but insist they had their reasons.
Crucially, there weren’t many other options in the position, and although Martinez was one of five left-handed halfbacks they looked at, only three forwards – including Antony – were selected. Murtough and the recruitment team have been impressed with his desire to join United and thirdly, transfer market monitoring has suggested that several top European clubs are looking for a similar player in 2023 which could only increase the rewards
A United source told ESPN: « We are paying for the player we think he can become, not who he is now. »
United are hoping Antony will improve, and despite scoring five times in 16 appearances early in his England career, Ten Hag was keen to stress he is not a finished article. At 22, he has time on his side.
« He’s a young player that we need to develop, but he needs to develop, » said Ten Hag After Antony was netted in a 2-1 win over Everton in October. “We should expect more from him. He needs challenge. That’s why he came to the premier league. It will intensify. In the first few weeks he scored goals, he did some good things, but I also see a lot of room for his game to improve. »
Your weaker developer of choice is an obvious place to start.
Arjen Robben has made a career of slashing from the right to score with the left, and Charlton manager Dean Holden admitted after Tuesday’s game that although his defenders were made aware of Antony’s execution « at the outside », they were still helpless for what he described as a « world class kick ».
Antonio Valencia made over 300 appearances for United and won two Premier League titles without ever really using his left (Site notre bureau spécialisé), but Antony may find the field opens up the more confident he is with his right (Site notre bureau spécialisé).
So far in the Premier League, Antony has had just five successes and has yet to register an assist or create a so-called ‘big chance’, defined as a situation in which a player would normally sign up . He could argue, however, that no matter when you scored against arsenal It’s the Manchester City. Only Marcus Rashford has scored more goals for United this season.
against Charlton, Antoine thrilled and frustrated the crowd in equal measure, and so has it been for much of his season so far. For Ten Hag, the hope is that eventually the good will outweigh the less and that over time €100m will feel like money well spent. For now, however, he would probably settle for another but against City at Old Trafford on Saturday.