How will Antony fit in at Manchester United after £85.5m transfer from Ajax?

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Manchester United obtained their man this week as Antony joined the Outdated Trafford-outfit for an unimaginable £85.5 million. For any Man United fan that claims the Glazers don’t again the Purple Devils, then I level you towards the unimaginable £214.22m the membership has spent on gamers this summer season.

Erik Ten Hag now has one of many gamers he wished most at Manchester United. Certain, the value of Antony doubled from the start of the switch window to the purpose the deal was finalised, however a lot of that was because of Ajax having just some days to now discover an Antony substitute.

The 22-year-old had been on Manchester United’s radar for a while together with being linked to rival Liverpool. After two seasons at Ajax, through which he received two Eredivisie titles alongside Ten Hag, Antony now makes the step as much as the Premier League.

The Brazilian had a robust begin to the 2022-23 marketing campaign within the Netherlands enjoying three video games in all competitions, scoring two objectives and aiding two objectives from the suitable wing.

Able to enjoying throughout the ahead line, Antony provides Manchester United one other versatile attacking participant. The likes of United and Arsenal have spent this summer season signing versatile attackers like Premier League trendsetters Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool have carried out in latest seasons.

The best wing is the place Antony prefers to play. In 119 appearances for Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Ajax, Antony performed 100 instances on the suitable wing, whereas showing simply two instances on the left facet.

He bagged 24 objectives and 22 assists for Ajax in 82 matches in all competitions. For any Man United supporter anticipating Antony to come back flying out of the gates with objectives and assists, be cautious.

The Eredivisie is a high-scoring league that’s usually dominated by Ajax. Targets fly into the again of the web within the Netherlands, so it may take some time for Antony to bed-in at Outdated Trafford and within the Premier League. The excellent news for followers is that Antony will reunite with ex-Ajax supervisor Ten Hag.

Antony’s arrival on the insistence of Ten Hag could lead some onlookers to query the necessity for the participant. Man United already had Jadon Sancho, signed for £76.5m simply over 12 months in the past, enjoying on the suitable wing.

Sancho is in effective kind, however will now be requested – or advised – to maneuver to the left facet. The previous Dortmund participant has one aim in 4 Premier League video games this season. The tempo on either side provides Man United a special dynamic.

The arrival of the Brazilian will doubtless drive Marcus Rashford to play by way of the center, for now, till a correct No. 9 could be signed. Rashford’s days at Manchester United look numbered, even when nobody desires to specific it verbally.

Rashford has break up time this season enjoying on the left wing and as a central striker. His one aim, which was scored versus Liverpool, got here from the centre-forward place. Manchester United misplaced each video games through which Rashford performed on the left wing and Cristiano Ronaldo performed striker.

Does Antony make Man United higher? The quick reply is sure, he makes the workforce higher. There’s now extra attacking depth and the tempo he supplies provides United a risk down each flanks.

There are nonetheless issues at Outdated Trafford. Ronaldo doesn’t wish to be there and Ten Hag doesn’t need him both. Manchester United are additionally missing a centre-forward able to main the road.

Rashford and Anthony Martial’s harm data are abysmal, and when the going will get tough, the previous tends to fade from video games far too simply.

Antony could take a while to settle, however with the Ten Hag Ajax revolution and system getting used at Man United, these ex-Ajax gamers ought to slot in.