Why Have Manchester United Signed AFC Ajax’s Antony?

After long drawn out negotiations that have taken the best part of two months, Manchester United have finally secured their star player of the summer transfer window for a sizeable €100 million.

The Red Devils have been interested in Antony ever since Erik Ten Hag signed his Manchester United contract, with the Dutch manager insisting on recruiting the Brazilian as a top priority.

After the arrivals of Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Casemiro, Manchester United fans will be delighted with a player of Antony’s quality coming in to a position that was needed for depth this season.

There is no denying that the price tag is extortionate, given the eventual deal will reach €100 million with bonuses, but Ajax knew the Red Devils were in a desperate position given the transfer window is coming to an end later this week. After four rejected offers, the Dutch club finally accepted their latest for an eye-watering amount and league record.

With the potential departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, which looks more than likely to happen in the final days of the transfer window, the arrival of a forward player – who can, if needed, play across the front line – was absolutely essential.

Manchester United are still, tentatively, in the market for PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo, who, in a similar fashion, can fill in as centre forward, but there is nothing close or imminitent on a deal that will likely be in the region of £45 million.

While Antony could fill in as centre forward, Ten Hag will deploy the Brazilian as his right winger. The Red Devils have been in the market for a left-footed right-sided forward for a number of years and now have a player, at the age of 22, who can continue to improve and reach new heights over the next decade.

There has been a theme across Ten Hag’s signings this summer. Those players who have been brought in – aside from Casemiro – either played under the Dutch manager at Ajax or know of the style of play that he is looking to implement straight away.

It will take a full season for the rest of the squad to get up to scratch of what the manager demands, but having a handful of players who can relay the manager’s messaging on a daily basis in the dressing room is absolutely vital.

Over the course of two seasons, Antony has recorded 46 goal involvements in 82 appearances throughout all competitions. He has adjusted to life and football in Europe exceedingly well and Ten Hag will be hoping the same can happen for his arrival in the PremierPINC
League.

Manchester United have had to spend big in securing his signature, primarily because they had already signed one prized asset in Martinez earlier in the summer, but the club expect the Brazilian to reach world class status and continue his upward trajectory.

Time will tell whether it was money well spent, but the signs are there for Antony to become Premier League’s next star arrival.