Man Utd target Antony's five best Ajax moments

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 30 Aug 2022 22:21 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United have completed the signing of Antony from Ajax in a €100 million move, finally bringing in Erik ten Hag's primary attacking target.

The Red Devils have long been interested in the Brazilian, and saw an €80 million bid rejected previously but the move was eventually pushed through after the player formally requested to leave.

Antony’s a player of many great moments, which is why Ajax demanded such a high fee, so what are his best bits in the red-and-white of Ajax?

Here are five of the most memorable.

First goal

This is Antony’s first goal for Ajax – it’s not the most special, but it was a sign of things to come, and it came against Sparta Rotterdam in a game away from home.

Coming early in the 2020/21 season, Antony cut inside from the left and with a help of a major deflection, the ball went into the net, opening the Brazilian’s account with the club.

More of these would follow over the course of his Ajax stay and starring days, drawing comparisons to Arjen Robben for his similar style and shot.

Champions League showman

The 2020/21 season was seen as one for Antony to settle in, in the following campaign, he was seen as a starter and took up the right-wing position in Erik ten Hag’s team.

The Champions League was his stage to shine, and against Sporting in the opening group stage game, he tormented the left side and provided two assists for Sebastien Haller and Steven Berghuis.

This, too, was a sign of things to come as Antony would star in the Champions League group stages that season, with the best to come against a former competition winner.

Dortmund tormented

Borussia Dortmund were tipped to be the favourites in both games against Ajax, but the Dutch champions made it look easy, with many thanks going Antony’s way.

In the 4-0 success, he scored one goal, once again cutting down the right side and finishing with his left, while also performing his usual trickery.

He was more effective in the game in Germany, providing two assists and being heavily involved a Dortmund sending-off, as Ajax won 3-1.

Derby hero

One way to make yourself a hero at any club is to score the winner against an age-old rival, and Antony did just that against Feyenoord, completing a famous win.

Feyenoord were 2-0 up at one point at the Johan Cruyff Arena, but an Ajax comeback set up a grand finale, and Antony was there to score a 94th minute winner off a Nicolas Tagliafico cross.

He proceeded to celebrate by taking his shirt off and displaying it to the adoring fans, creating an iconic image in Ajax’s most significant win of the season.

Final hurrah

Coming into the 2022/23 season on the back of transfer rumours aplenty, Antony put on a starring display in Ajax’s first home game of the season against Groningen.

The trickery remained and in addition to the assist for Steven Bergwijn, with whom he was forming a solid partnership, he also scored, once again cutting in down the right and finishing from afar with his left.

That was his final game and goal at the Johan Cruyff Arena, and he’ll have left in the same way he arrived: with talent, skill, confidence and plenty to show.