Caught Offside are saying that United "have decided to let Antony go" in this winter transfer window 👀.
The Brazilian is linked with moves to Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle while also being tipped with a potential move to former club Ajax.
Final Thoughts
I'm not quite so sure about this news but it gives me a chance to talk about our Brazilian.
Antony came to us in 2022 for a huge fee of £85m from Ajax. He was so desperate to join MUFC that he actually refused to play for the Dutch club because he wanted to leave.
Once he (eventually) came to United, there was a lot of talk about him and how he can offer something different to our team. As he arrived the same season as his Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, we all thought that he was the right man to help Antony produce that same Ajax form at United.
The first few games proved that Antony was a good buy despite his high fee as he scored 3 goals in three games including 1 against Arsenal on his debut as United won 3-1.
Ever since then though, things have gone, not so well.
The winger had some moments that displayed what he's all about and that perhaps we do have a player that can help us improve as important goals against Barcelona, Liverpool and even a screamer at the Etihad showcased his ability.
But much like United for the past decade, moments is all he had.
While the pricetag and wages isn't his fault, it doesn't take away from the fact that he is still heavily underperforming. He's now fourth-choice winger as all of Amad, Garnacho and Rashford are ahead of the number 21. This is for a player who was Erik ten Hag's man.
Antony has only played four of the 10 matches this season with two of them coming from the bench. He's only goal was a penalty in the 7- 0 thrashing of Barnsley.
In his 86 matches for the club, the 24-year-old has just the 12 goals and 5 assists to his name, an output of a goal and/or assist every five games. 8 of those 12 goals also came in his first season.
I'm not sure why things have gone so poorly for Antony at United. Looking at his abilities, we didn't have a player like that who can do a lot of what he can do, that Brazilian flair was something we haven't had in well, ever.
He's also had the manager who helped him perform at his best in ten Hag which makes it even more puzzling as to why we haven't seen that same player that so many raved about at Ajax.
When Antony plays for United, he often looks too tentative, indecisive and scared, almost as if he either simply doesn't know what to do or doesn't believe enough in himself to do what he wants.
If all of these are true, then he really shouldn't be at the club because we can't have players like that at United, of which I believe we've had too many over the years. We still do.
Maybe this is a prime example of just how heavy the United shirt is. Regardless of what you did in the past and who you played for, coming to our club just takes things to another level.
The league as well could play a factor into why he's falling short of his expectations. The Eredivise is much easier than the Premier League as the demands in England are just so high. Maybe those demands are something he can't cope with?
I do like Antony and what he can bring to our side. That Brazilian flair I mentioned isn't something that we have and to have a player with those abilities always gets people excited and on the edge of their seats in anticipation that this player can do something.
Yet, he very rarely does. He's become too one-dimensional and predictable which makes it easier for opposition's to play against him. This is where the player needs to take that responsibility and try to improve their game and give the manager a reason to pick them.
I will also add that ten Hag not giving him much game time could knock his confidence. There are occasions where I think Antony should've been given more game time as we have seen some pretty average performances from our wide players a lot this season. ten Hag could've used Antony as he at least puts in the effort which isn't something we can say about all our players when looking at a game like Spurs.
Or perhaps Antony is just shite. That could be the simplest explanation 🤷♂️.
However, I don't believe that given his abilities but as much as you may like a certain player and want it to work out, they may just simply not be good enough.
Is this possible loan in January a good thing? It could be for Antony as he will no doubt get more game time at all three of Newcastle, Palace or Ajax and that could do him some good. But is it a good idea for United as we are one or two injuries away from needing someone like Antony out wide. Garnacho and Amad have recently pulled out of international duty because of injury and illness and as we know, our wingers/wide forwards can be very inconsistent.
Having a player like Antony on hand quite be handy.
I doubt that he will actually be sold in winter but a move away from United one way or another, is something that I believe the club would be open to.
This was seen to be a big season for Antony but for the moment, it has been anything but. He can't even get in the team to make any impact. There is a scenario where I can see him leaving at the end of the season.
What do you think about Antony potentially moving on in January and about his time at United overall? Would you be opposed to him going at the end of the season?
Background Image: Antony in Man Utd training | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)