Since joining Manchester United last year in a deal worth €95 million (R1.8 billion), Antony has scored just four Premier League goals. While Erik ten Hag needs to take some responsibility, the Brazilian winger is looking more and more like the club's latest waste of funds.
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Four league goals in 15 months
There was a feeling of relief among United supporters when the Red Devils finally announced the acquisition of the then-22-year-old from Ajax Amsterdam towards the end of the transfer window in August 2022. For one, fans always love it when the club they follow spends a large amount of money, even when their success record is low. Secondly, Antony is a left-footed right-winger, a profile of player they didn't previously have. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, this move seemed to signal the start of a new era for United's recruitment team. Fans understood Antony's arrival as the club finally backing a manager, which couldn't always be said for the board and Ten Hag's predecessors.
Antony, who had a reputation for being a trickster during his time in the Netherlands under Ten Hag, scored on his debut as the Red Devils claimed a 3-1 Premier League win over Arsenal, scored again in his next appearance, a 6-3 defeat to Manchester City, and again in a 2-1 victory over Everton seven days later. There was optimism and excitement, but fans had to wait another seven months before he'd find the back of the net in a league match again. He ultimately finished that campaign on four goals, a tally he has still not added to. Overall, meanwhile, Antony struck on eight occasions across all competitions and assisted only three goals. It wasn't great, but there was certainly still hope that his rawness would be refined and that, because he was recommended by Ten Hag, who'd enjoyed a successful first season at Old Trafford, he would eventually begin to contribute more regularly.
A bad signing?
As he only swapped Ajax for United last year, many won't agree with me saying Antony isn't a very good footballer, but I simply can't imagine a world in which he grows into a Premier League-quality winger. Right now, he isn't close to being good enough to play in the toughest and best league in the world, and there's even an argument that Antony's time in the Eredivisie was totally overrated by those who didn't actually watch him all that often. What non-Dutch football fans saw was highlights and clips of his skill and trademark spinning trick, which led us all to assume the Brazilian had the personality to play for arguably the most demanding club in England's history. This season so far, though, Antony has not contributed to a single goal in 11 games, while he has also spent some time back home in Brazil after being investigated by authorities amid multiple domestic abuse allegations. It could be that those off-field issues are impacting his confidence and productivity, but my advice to United fans is: Don't hold out any hope!
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He'll probably score the odd goal from range with his left foot, he might sometimes even get the crowd going with a dribble, but there isn't a lot of evidence to suggest Antony will help turn the Red Devils into a team that regularly competes for trophies again.
Opinion by @KurtLaduma
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