The Brazilian side Flamengo made a quite surprising move by targeting Manchester United winger Antony. The former Ajax player has not shown any promising display since coming in the summer of 2022.
Antony came with a staggering £85 million price tag from Ajax. He was expected to be a decent addition to United’s attacking force. Instead, he has been struggling with consistency, not to mention his off-pitch fiasco with his girlfriend.
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Man United Transfer News: Erik ten Hag aware of Amtony’s struggles
Flamengo’s intention to bring Antony home is aligned with United board’s plan to offload the player in any possible way.
Flamengo, who won the Copa Libertadores three times, attempted a loan request to United for Antony. The 24-year old has been a regular pick in the Premier League this season, collecting 29 appearances and one goal for United.
United manager Erik Ten Hag admitted that Antony has been playing under the expected level. In parallel, the Dutchman started to give some young players an opportunity to play in order to give competitions for Antony. Thus, he doesn’t feel too secure with his place in the team.
“He has to prove a point, that he will do,” Ten Hag said on February via Goal. “And he has big potential. He hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is, and it’s about proving his talent, and it’s about him. And, yeah, he will probably get his opportunities, right? But, yeah, I think that was always the idea.
“You have competition, and now he has to show himself on the training pitch, but also others because we have opportunities there. With [Amad] Diallo returning from an injury, he’s doing well in the training. Omari Forson is doing well. So we have options to fill in those positions. And it’s not set that Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward.”
The player himself acknowledges the underperforming issue of his within the club. But the Sao Paulo-born refused to give his career away and surrender with the situation. Insted, he vows to improve his game and pay the trust the club has given to him.
Antony vows to payback the trust
“I know it hasn’t been an easy season,” he said to the club website. “We didn’t get the results we wanted as a team, but we never stopped working and focusing on what needed to be done to improve.
“I fought hard to reach the levels of playing for this club. I know I can build on yesterday’s performance and continue to show my qualities. I pushed myself day after day for better performances. I will continue to completely close myself off to improve and play the football that Manchester United hired me to do.
Legally, Antony still has another two-year stay at Old Trafford until his contract expires in June 2027. However, the current situation makes it is not impossible for him to leave the club earlier than expected.