Man Utd admit transfer mistake over Antony

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 12 Jan 2023 18:52 GMT
  • 3 min read
Antony, Man Utd, 2022-23
© ProShots

Manchester United chiefs have reportedly accepted their error in spending €95 million on Ajax and Brazil forward Antony last summer.

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The Red Devils backed Erik ten Hag in the transfer market, bringing in a host of new additions, including three from the Eredivisie. That included Antony, who was pursued by Man Utd for several weeks before they eventually agreed a fee with Ajax.

Ten Hag was the main reason why Antony was so heavily chased by the Old Trafford club, but those in charge at Man Utd have acknowledged their mistake in signing the Brazilian.

READ: Wout Weghorst: Man Utd’s new attacking juggernaut

According to ESPN, Man Utd chiefs believe they overpaid for Antony and have accepted the error they made submitting such a high offer to Ajax.

However, they are reportedly confident that Antony will come good at Old Trafford at live up to this hefty price tag, which saw him become the club's second most expensive arrival of all time, behind Paul Pogba.

The Brazil international, who was part of his nation's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has netted five goals for Man Utd since arriving last summer, but is yet to contribute a single assist in any competition.

" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2022/11/antony-responds-manchester-united-showboating" target="_blank">READ: "Fear? What is fear?" - Antony responds to criticism of his showboating

Furthermore, his last Premier League goal against Everton back in early October.

Antony cost Man Utd €95m in 2022
© ProShots - Antony cost Man Utd €95m in 2022

Why did Man Utd overpay for Antony?

ESPN have reported that Man Utd's scouts weren't able to identify too many left-footed players to improve their attack, and Antony was one of just three players to make the shortlist.

Furthermore, John Murtough, Man Utd's director of football, and other members of staff were drawn to the fact Antony wanted to be reunited with former Ajax head coach Ten Hag.

In addition, Man Utd believed that several European giants would be in the hunt to sign someone with Antony's profile in 2023 and wanted to seal a deal before more competition for his signature emerged.

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