How on earth do Manchester United solve a problem like Antony?
That is the question on the lips of Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox, Erik ten Hag and more heading into the January transfer window.
Two years on from the £82 million deal which took Antony to Manchester United, the Brazilian’s flying start to life at Old Trafford feels like a distant daydream. These days, you’d get longer odds on Erik ten Hag winning the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award than you would on Antony scoring in three successive top-flight fixtures.
Now Man United’s third-choice right-winger behind Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, Antony has played a grand total of 27 minutes across the Red Devils’ first seven league fixtures. And all but one of those minutes came in the 0-0 draw at Villa Park before the October international break.
And while Ten Hag praised Antony’s impact after that Aston Villa stalemate, actions speak louder than words.
When a coach who has defended you for so long starts to lose the faith – as Ten Hag appears to have done with his former Ajax wideman – then it’s very difficult to glimpse even a glint of light at the end of the tunnel.
Antony’s only goal this season came as Man United thrashed Barnsley 7-0 in the Carabao Cup. And, in contrast to some of his teammates, he didn’t exactly look a cut above against third-tier opposition.
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Manchester United winger Antony linked with Ajax return in January
Antony was linked with La Liga in August but Real Betis looked elsewhere. Crystal Palace have been mentioned tentatively in the media, alongside former employers Ajax.
And while Man United are prepared to take a substantial loss, a rumoured £40 million price-tag is unlikely to have the suitors circling for a forward who has scored just one goal and provided a single assist in his last 31 Premier League appearances, per the Daily Mail.
So, therefore, could a short-term loan deal be on the cards? One that would allow Antony the chance to play regular football again? One that could boost his confidence, and his reputation, ahead of a likely summer sale?
Dutch football expert Mike Verweij can envisage a situation in which Antony returns to his old stomping ground, so long as Man United are willing to cover the majority of his reported £200,000-a-week wages.
Eredivisie giants Ajax have a history of re-signing former players
“Ajax is looking for a left winger, a creative midfielder and possibly a right winger, that is clear,” Verweij tells De Telegraaf’s podcast. “It could be on loan or a very cheap player. If you can loan Antony cheaply…
“His salary is probably already quite high for Ajax. But maybe United wants to get rid of him and rent him to Ajax [on the cheap]. Then, that could be an option.
“Antony has shown in the Eredivisie that he can do it. Maybe he can build some confidence here. In the Eredivisie you quickly overtake your opponents as a winger. I wouldn’t even think it’s such a crazy option.”
Verweij’s co-host, Valentijn Driessen, points out that an Ajax side searching to reclaim their glory days after a miserable campaign have shown a willingness to offer fresh starts to former fans’ favourites. Bertrand Traore returned over the summer, while Davy Klaassen has made a flying start to life back in Amsterdam.
“Normally you wouldn’t do it, but this boy [Antony] meant a lot to Ajax,” argues Driessen. “He made sure that the coffers were filled with 100 million euros..
“Then, you can perhaps be lenient and say; ‘if we can pull your career out of the doldrums, then we will work with you’. They did that with Davy Klaassen and he is important.
“In the Dutch competition, those kinds of players can still make a difference.”
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