Van der Sar: "Antony's behaviour was not reason for sale to Man Utd"

Karan Tejwani

3 Sep 2022 08:35 CDT
3 min read

Ajax General Manager Edwin van der Sar has spoken about Antony, following his sale last week to Manchester United which was the most expensive transfer of the summer.

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Antony completed the transfer last week after several days of negotiations between the two clubs, with Ajax even rejecting two bids before they finally accepted the Red Devils’ offer.

Antony was keen on the transfer too, with the player refusing to train and missing Eredivisie matches as a result, before his transfer was completed.

Van der Sar has now spoken on the situation and Antony’s behaviour in his last few days at the Amsterdam club, which was his first in European football.

Van der Sar discusses Antony sale

The former goalkeeper said: “In an ideal world you keep the team together. But we do not live in that, and certainly not in the Netherlands."

"His [Antony’s] behavior was no reason to sell him," says the general manager of Ajax. "Of course, you cannot have players who display recalcitrant behavior and you must strongly disapprove.

“You deliver a performance with 22 men. But eventually the amounts offered can reach a tipping point. Football is number one, but we are also a company."

Ajax were busy in the transfer window, and in addition to Antony, they also sold Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United, while also losing manager Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford.

3️⃣6️⃣0️⃣ on repeat 🌀@Antony00™️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/gFWFTJHVd0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 1, 2022

Other than that, players like Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui went to Bayern Munich, Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund and Andre Onana to Inter.

On the final day of the transfer window, Edson Alvarez made it clear that he wished to leave the club as well, with Chelsea interested in signing the Mexican midfielder.

Van der Sar on this summer’s window for Ajax: “Some people really enjoy it here. Not me. I benefit from peace and regularity. And it was restless in Amsterdam, with the arrival of Lucas Ocampos on a loan at the last minute.

“That's why I would rather call the transfer window hectic, fascinating and challenging than fun. But I'm glad it's over.”