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Man Utd admit transfer mistake over Antony
Cameron Smith
- 12 Jan 2023 12:52 CST
- 3 min read
Manchester United chiefs have reportedly accepted their error in spending €95 million on Ajax and Brazil forward Antony last summer.
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.
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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.
Furthermore, his last Premier League goal against Everton back in early October.
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.
