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Home > Blog Post > Manchester United Express Interest in €35m Rated Ajax Winger | Player Looking to Follow Ten Hag to Old Trafford

Manchester United Express Interest in €35m Rated Ajax Winger | Player Looking to Follow Ten Hag to Old Trafford

Antony, Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, Man United

There is a chance Ajax winger Antony will follow Erik ten Hag to Manchester United this summer. Ten Hag has emerged as the frontrunner to become Manchester United’s permanent manager. Currently, on an interim role, Ralf Rangnick looks set to take up an advisory role in the summer. Ten Hag, formerly Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Bayern Munich, seems best placed to take up the managerial role.

Since joining Ajax in 2017, Ten Hag has won 2 Eredivisie titles and 2 KNVB Cups. He also steered Ajax to a remarkable semi-final spot in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League, defeating Juventus and Real Madrid en route.

Manchester United are also reportedly interested in signing winger Antony from the Dutch champions. The Brazilian winger signed from Sao Paulo in 2020 for a reported fee of €21.5 million. In 72 games, the 21-year-old has scored 20 goals while creating 16 more (stats via whoscored).

Antony celebrating for Ajax, Manchester United, Antony
Image Obtained Via: Sports Illustrated

Manchester United have only Amad Diallo as a left-footed option for the front line. Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard are likely to leave. Anthony Martial’s future seems uncertain, as does Mason Greenwood’s involvement with the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo could also reportedly leave if the Red Devils miss out on a place in the top-4. This leaves Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho as the only natural forwards, and the former has struggled in recent weeks for form and confidence.

According to The Telegraph, Ten Hag is keen to bring Antony with him to Old Trafford. The Brazilian dished out praise for his boss recently, highlighting how the Dutchman improves every player under him:

“Every player under his guidance becomes a better footballer through his training. Since my arrival, he has given me a lot of confidence and believed in what I can do. I am grateful to him for that. I respect him very much.”

Antony represents a profile that Manchester United have sorely missed this season. Since the departure of Daniel James, the Red Devils have no player to hold width down the right flank. Both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are more comfortable in the half-spaces or closer to the opposition goal, rather than out wide hugging the touchline.

This issue is further compounded by United’s lack of a quality right-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a more defensive player and is not very effective in bombing down the flanks. Diogo Dalot has proven to be an improvement. However, the Portuguese is better as a wide utility, than the focal point of creation down the flank.

Antony 2021-22 Heat-Map (Image Obtained Via: sofascore.com)

Antony is predominantly left-footed and is excellent at holding width. All 28 games the 21-year-old has played this season, he played on the right side of a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3.

Antony's position in the Ajax line-up, Manchester United, Antony

Ten Hag uses his wingers to maintain width. Left-back Daley Blind often acts as an auxiliary centre-back in possession. Right-back Noussair Mazraoui also remains deeper to provide an additional passing option. Wingers Tadic and Antony are used to stretch the opposition defence.

Antony gives width to Ajax, Manchester United, Antony

Antony provides a useful option out wide. The Brazilian is a reliable option to circulate possession and loves to take on and beat his marker. Higher up the field, Antony prefers to hover around the edge of the box, cutting onto his left foot from out wide. This gives him the option to either directly go on goal, or bend a cross for Sebastian Haller or another teammate inside the box.

Antony has 8 goals and 4 assists in the league this season. Additionally, he has 2 goals and 5 assists from 7 games in the Champions League. The Brazilian is not just a show-pony on the flank, but a genuine goal threat in the front line. Antony could relieve some goal-scoring pressure off Ronaldo and Sancho in the current set-up if he does sign.

Verdict

Antony is a very talented player. At the age of 21, the winger is already sought after by several top clubs. A proper entertainer, Antony is a delight down the wings and has the ability to create magic out of nothing.

However, Ajax reportedly value the former Sao Paulo trickster in the region of €60 million to €70 million. With United needing reinforcements in other areas of the field too, the transfer has an unalienable risk element associated with it.

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Another factor United would have to consider is the availability of Raphinha. The Leeds winger, currently 25, is valued at around €75 million, but could go for as little as €25 million should Leeds United get relegated. Raphinha has Premier League experience and is Leeds’ best player by a distance. The Brazilian has 9 goals and 3 assists to his name this season.

Although Antony represents a very exciting possibility for Manchester United, the Red Devils should look to prioritise a more proven player for that price range.

What are your thoughts on Antony? Would he be a good signing? Let us know in the comments.

Follow AD for the Latest Transfer Updates for Manchester United.

Adithya Ravi
Football enthusiast. Stat enthusiast

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