Manchester United haven’t internally communicated a desire to sell Antony amid speculation surrounding his future, according to the Brazilian winger’s agent. Erik ten Hag has reportedly identified a potential replacement ahead of the club’s first summer under the rule of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Antony’s struggles in England have leaked into his second season after reuniting with Ten Hag in an £86million deal from Ajax in 2022.
He has failed to register a single goal or assist in 22 appearances in all competitions this term, losing his status as a cemented starter on the right to Alejandro Garnacho.
Off-field issues that ruled Antony out of action for a few weeks in September may have contributed to his extended lack of production in the final third.
But the 23-year-old was also below-par in his maiden year at Old Trafford, registering eight goals and three assists in 66 games since his arrival.
Antony’s unconvincing exploits have sparked suggestions that Ten Hag could soon receive financial backing from Ratcliffe – reportedly baffled by numerous signings in recent years – to recruit a new right-winger.
However, the No. 21’s agent, Junior Pedroso, has played down murmurs that United are actively planning to offload Antony this year.
“Manchester has so far not communicated any interest in transferring him in either the January or summer window,” Pedroso told United In Focus.
“Antony is focused on these four months of the season so he can improve his performance, knowing that he needs to score goals and assists. This is his focus. Today, our head is on Manchester United.
“He knows very well that he needs to score. There’s no point in just playing good games. He has to score goals and provide assists. He is very coherent about this.
“He will come back different. His head has become a little key, and certainly, in these four months, he will show much more than he showed this season.”
Earlier this week, reports claimed that United had identified former Tottenham Hotspur winger Marcus Edwards as the perfect replacement for Antony in the summer.
Edwards, who has produced 21 goals and 22 assists in 93 games for Sporting Lisbon, has admirers at INEOS, and an offer in the region of £30m is expected to be enough to seal his signature.
The 25-year-old is said to be viewed as a reasonable solution to Ten Hag’s right-wing problems.
However, Antony’s camp is yet to be told that he has no future at Old Trafford, with all focus firmly on showing improvement in the final four months of the campaign.
