Man Utd make 'final decision' on €95m flop Antony

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 8 Feb 2024 14:08 GMT
• 2 min read

Manchester United have made ‘a final decision’ to sell Antony in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Fichajes claims that it will be now up to the Brazilian winger whether to find himself another Premier League club or else seek a new challenge in a different European league.

The 23-year-old has not lived up to expectations since signing for Manchester United from Ajax in 2022. United paid around €95 million for his services but he has only managed nine goals and four assists in total across 69 matches for the Red Devils.

This season he has not scored or assisted a single goal in the Premier League despite appearing 19 times. His only goal and assist this season came in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Newport County of League Two.

Man Utd seek to recoup Antony cost

Antony was reportedly offered to several Saudi Pro League clubs in January, along with United outcast Jadon Sancho, with the club seeking to recoup some of their massive €180m outlay they paid for the duo.

It was reported in January that United would settle for €58.5m (£50m) each for the wingers but no bids materialised.

Sancho moved on loan to Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season whereas Antony is still part of the first-team picture under Erik ten Hag.

Having worked with the manager previously at Ajax, where he starred, it was expected that Antony would kick on and become a dependable member of the United squad. Instead, he has been frequently criticised for his lack of output on the field.

Ten Hag defended his player back in January, telling a press conference that he hoped the second-most expensive signing in United’s history would eventually come good.

“I am sure he’s capable of doing this, bringing key actions, key passes, the crosses, the finishing,” he said.

“His end product in Ajax was very high and he should return to that level but the Premier League is more difficult and he’s capable of doing that.”

Antony has a contract until 2027 worth a reported €235,000 (£200,000) per week with the club holding an option to extend it for a further year.

He is one of a number of expensive signings Ten Hag plucked from Ajax having moved to Old Trafford along with Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez.

Onana is another player who has been subject to intense scrutiny while World Cup winner Martinez has struggled for fitness throughout his time at the club.

The report concludes by stating that United believe it would be “almost impossible” to recover the money spent to bring the former Sao Paulo youngster to the club.