How Ten Hag's Man Utd will line up with Antony

James Shearman

Updated: 30 Aug 2022 07:10 CDT
3 min read

Manchester United have confirmed a move for Ajax winger Antony, who signs on a €95 million fee, with add-ons possibly taking it up to €100 million.

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The two clubs were negotiating for a long time, with the Dutch champions even rejecting bids worth €80 million and €90 million earlier in the window.

Antony then made it clear he wanted to move, missing his clubs Eredivisie games in the process to force it through, citing his current employers' stubbornness as the reason he is not already a United player.

"Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new challenge," he said after Ajax rejected the English side's €90 million offer.

How will Man Utd line up with Antony?

In goal, David de Gea will continue, despite his poor start to the season, as United have no competitors, with the best alternative – Dean Henderson – out on loan at Nottingham Forest. However, they may add a reinforcement before the window shuts.

In defence, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia will start at full-back; Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s style doesn’t exactly suit Erik ten Hag’s team, while Malacia will start ahead of the struggling Luke Shaw.

In the centre, the pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane is likely, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire there to back up.

Midfield will see the biggest changes, as Casemiro will slot into the defensive midfield role, filling up a gap that’s been there in the United team for several years.

He’ll be playing alongside his Danish counterpart, Christian Eriksen, who should retain his place despite the team’s bad start, as his quality is far superior to that of Fred and Scott McTominay.

Manchester United are ‘confident’ to complete full agreement with Ajax for Antony in the next hours. All parties have agreed on negotiations around €100m fee, now time to structure the deal and get it done. 🚨🔴 #MUFC

Player’s camp also feeling that it’s now more than close. pic.twitter.com/pW6IAazSwP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2022

Along with them is Bruno Fernandes, who has been out of form for a while, but can still contribute to the team, as showcased in the win over Southampton.

The attack needs to start firing again and on the wings will be the duo of Jadon Sancho and new-signing Antony.

And leading the line will be Marcus Rashford, who replaces wantaway star and last season's top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.