Manchester United shelled out an initial £81million to sign Antony in the summer of 2022 as the winger followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford. But the Red Devils had reportedly valued the star at just £25m not long before his move to the Premier League.
Antony became United’s second most expensive signing in history when he put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract at Old Trafford. The player arrived in the same window as Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia as Ten Hag attempted to put his stamp on the Red Devils team.
But Antony has proven to be a complete flop in England and has contributed just eight goals and three assists in 62 appearances for the club. He has also demonstrated petulance on the pitch at times and was booked for kicking out at Manchester City ace Jeremy Doku in the closing stages of the Manchester derby in October.
United chiefs may already feel they overpaid for Antony given his lack of output in front of goal. And it has now been revealed by The Athletic that Red Devils scouts had valued him at around £25m when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge of the team.
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In September, Antony was given time away from the club following accusations of domestic abuse, which he denies. The 22-year-old returned to the team in October, however, and has started United’s last three Premier League matches.
And he will be looking for an extended run in Ten Hag’s side over the Christmas period as the Red Devils prepare to take on West Ham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest before the New Year. But if he cannot prove he is a long-term option for United – they will be forced to take a massive loss on the fee they paid to sign him.
Recent reports have suggested Antony could soon be on his way out of Old Trafford. But the attacker told the United website on Thursday: “Firstly, I’m really pleased with this run of games. I was training very hard towards this, and it is a consequence of that work at training. I’m really happy with this run and hope to help and contribute to the team even more.
“This positive energy is contagious across the whole team. I don’t like losing, not even in stone, paper, scissors. This is my spirit. I’ve always been this way and will continue doing it to lift the team up with me and spread this energy.”
And he told United fans: “Thank you as always for supporting and motivating us every game, regardless of the results. We owe a lot to you, always filling the stadium, thank you. Rest assured, we are doing and will do everything to turn things around and put United back where they belong. Merry Christmas.”
