Winners and losers from Antony's Man Utd transfer

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 30 Aug 2022 13:11 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Ajax winger Antony.

The winger will move for a €100 million fee, including add-ons, becoming Ajax’s biggest sale ever, and there are a few that will benefit from this transfer, while others lose.

So, with a big risk taken by Manchester United and Ajax earning a big fee – one they always demanded – who are the winners and losers from this deal?

Winners

Ajax

Ajax are one of Europe’s best negotiators, and they’ve made a great deal here, holding out to get what they want from a club they knew would pay up if they waited long enough.

The Dutch side rejected bids of €80 million and €90 million before getting this deal that will see them earn at least €95 million, before add-ons are included.

Although they’ve lost a very good player, this money can be reinvested elsewhere – possibly in multiple positions – and help the club’s finances even further.

Brazil’s national team

Antony has been a regular with the Brazil national team since 2021 having impressed domestically and in the Champions League, with Tite feeling it was worth giving him a shot.

He carried that form into the national team, scoring twice for them, including once on debut, and on this trajectory, he’s going to the World Cup.

Playing in the Premier League will allow Brazil to have a look at how he performs against tougher opposition on a weekly basis and how he handles the pressure of a big transfer fee.

Erik ten Hag

Manchester United have a mixed start to the season with two wins and two losses, but their two most impressive players have been Erik ten Hag signings.

Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia have done well for the club so far, and they were signed earlier in the summer at Ten Hag’s request.

Antony is another one of those signings, and if he impresses as well, the Dutch coach will have a great say within the club, showing why he deserves to be backed by his club.

Losers

Anthony Elanga

The player that will obviously be displaced by Antony’s arrival is the one who has been playing on the right wing, and that’s Anthony Elanga.

The Swede made a name for himself under Ralf Rangnick, and has started in both Manchester United wins this season, but he may not carry on in the team for longer.

With Antony’s talents and the fee paid, he will be starting regularly when fit, meaning Elanga will have to be dropped and that may not bode well for his long-term Manchester United career.

One of Rashford or Sancho

Antony’s move also affects the other side of the pitch, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho set to battle it out for one place on the left wing.

Sancho has started there in both of Manchester United’s wins, and both scored in the success over Liverpool, but were far from their best against Southampton.

The rise in competition in attack will mean the pair have to raise their game to keep their place, and one of them will have to lose.

John Murtough and Richard Arnold

Manchester United will end up paying €95 million, the fee Ajax always demanded at this late stage for the transfer of Antony, which is a horrible way of doing business.

Represented by Richard Arnold, club Chief Executive and John Murtough, Director of Football, Manchester United have failed to improve on the transfer front.

So often over the years, they’ve haggled over a demanded transfer fee only to pay the initial fee asked, and they’ve done so again with Antony and Ajax.