Manchester United have seemingly succeeded in their pursuit of dazzling winger Antony from Ajax in a record-breaking €100m deal.
Eminent and reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on the microblogging site Twitter, sending the United faithful into raptures.
Antony to Manchester United, here we go! Agreement in principle with Ajax, €100m fee. Contract until June 2027 with option until 2028. To be signed tomorrow. 🚨🔴🇧🇷 #MUFC
Contracts being prepared, it’s Eredivisie historical record fee — Antony will be in Manchester next week. pic.twitter.com/Wr9mUiX1Ud
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2022
Antony, 22, has dazzled in the Eredivisie since arriving from Sao Paulo in 2020, supplying 24 goals and 22 assists in 84 appearances so far. With a goal and two assists in two games, he started the new season brightly, which saw his price soar in the last couple of weeks amidst links with Man United.
Antony to Man United—How will Ten Hag line up with him?
Manchester United endured a frustrating time for a better part of the summer but seem to be finishing it strongly with late deals for Casemiro and Antony. With the signing of the Real Madrid superstar, Ten Hag brought character and leadership in the middle of the park and with the duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez impressing in defence, the centre-back also looks solid as of now.
In terms of attacking reinforcements, Ten Hag had prioritised the signing of Antony, who netted 12 goals and supplied 10 assists last term as Ajax won the Eredivisie title and reached the Champions League knockout stages.
Antony is predominantly a left-footed right-winger but can operate anywhere across the forward line. In order to balance Man United’s starting XI, he is likely to be deployed on the right flank—a position which none of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have made their own. Sancho and Rashford haven’t been consistent performers for some time now, and someone like Antony could give them the push they need to get their mojo back.
With Diogo Dalot overlapping, Antony, who likes to cut in on his left foot more often than not, will get opportunities to link play and deliver crosses in the box. If Cristiano Ronaldo ends up staying at the club, Antony’s deliveries into the box from wide areas could be deadly. The South American will add enjoyment, flair and creativity to Ten Hag’s side, whilst improving the depth in the offensive department.
In Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen—two creative midfielders in the team, Antony will have players who should be able to pick him out with incisive, long passes in the final third, and also who could find him from deep. The 22-year-old can potentially combine with the likes of Rashford, Sancho, Martial and Fernandes and wreak havoc in the final third of the pitch.
Sharp and an excellent dribbler, the ex-Sao Paulo man likes to use his pace to test defenders with accelerations both in and out of possession.
All in all, Antony will bring the aggression, work ethic, energy and unpredictability that in turn will help Ten Hag’s United turn defence into attack more frequently.
Here is how the Man United lineup might look with the €100m man in the side.
