Show pony Antony or Haaland-matching Gakpo: Did Man Utd back the wrong horse?

FT Desk

29 Oct 2022 20:30 BST
4 min read

With the benefit of hindsight, Antony may have picked a better way to endear himself to the Old Trafford faithful on Thursday evening.

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The Brazilian stood out less for his contribution to Manchester United's 3-0 than for an elaborate, seemingly unnecessary piece of showboating that was followed by his withdrawal at half-time.

His 360° degree spin invited a harsh rebuke from one former Red Devil, who slammed his antics in the middle of a rather underwhelming performance.

“This crowd, and me, I love a bit of showboating, a bit of entertainment. But does that do anything for anybody?" Paul Scholes fired on BT Sport.

"Does it do anything for himself? We’ll have to ask him. I don’t know what it achieves, but even the first 35, 40 minutes, he did nothing all game. Even if you’re 4-0 up, what does that do for you?

“I’m not even sure it’s skill,” Scholes added. “I think we could all do that. I don’t think that’s skill or entertainment, that’s just being a clown.”

Scholes may have been brutal in his evaluation of the move, but it was hardly a winning gambit from Antony as he continues to struggle to make an impression on his new club following a lukewarm start of three goals in 11 appearances.

Perhaps United should not have turned to Ajax at all this summer, but rather turned their eye on their Eredivisie rivals.

For at PSV Cody Gakpo, also a target in the last window, is enjoying a blistering start to the season. Thirteen goals in 21 games so far this term must be making the United management wonder what might have been.

Gakpo was a top target at Old Trafford along with Antony, before the club ultimately opted for the Brazilian.

His €95 million fee made a move for the PSV ace impossible, having been so close to securing his services.

'I was close to leaving'

"I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United," the 23-year-old explained to the Times.

"In the end the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.

"It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period.’

"I always said if I stay here, it’s my childhood club. It’s not a punishment. ‘I like being here, I want to win trophies here and do my best for the club.

"But if I got the chance to go to the Premier League or something, of course I would have to consider that option. At that time it was hectic for me but I recovered pretty quickly."

If he continues to play in the same vein a big transfer will surely not be far away for Gakpo. Indeed, if United renew their interest they may find a whole host of new contenders for his signature, only further calling into question their decision to sign under-fire Antony and not the player who now seems the real deal.