How will Antony fit in at Manchester United after £85.5m transfer from Ajax?

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Manchester United got their man this week as Antony joined the Old Trafford-outfit for an incredible £85.5 million. For any Man United fan that claims the Glazers do not back the Red Devils, then I point you toward the incredible £214.22m the club has spent on players this summer.

Erik Ten Hag now has one of the players he wanted most at Manchester United. Sure, the price of Antony doubled from the beginning of the transfer window to the point the deal was finalised, but much of that was due to Ajax having just a few days to now find an Antony replacement.

The 22-year-old had been on Manchester United’s radar for some time along with being linked to rival Liverpool. After two seasons at Ajax, in which he won two Eredivisie titles alongside Ten Hag, Antony now makes the step up to the Premier League.

The Brazilian had a strong start to the 2022-23 campaign in the Netherlands playing three games in all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting two goals from the right wing.

Capable of playing across the forward line, Antony gives Manchester United another versatile attacking player. The likes of United and Arsenal have spent this summer signing versatile attackers like Premier League trendsetters Manchester City and Liverpool have done in recent seasons.

The right wing is where Antony prefers to play. In 119 appearances for Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Ajax, Antony played 100 times on the right wing, while appearing just two times on the left side.

He bagged 24 goals and 22 assists for Ajax in 82 matches in all competitions. For any Man United supporter expecting Antony to come flying out of the gates with goals and assists, be cautious.

The Eredivisie is a high-scoring league that is typically dominated by Ajax. Goals fly into the back of the net in the Netherlands, so it could take a little time for Antony to bed-in at Old Trafford and in the Premier League. The good news for fans is that Antony will reunite with ex-Ajax manager Ten Hag.

Antony’s arrival at the insistence of Ten Hag may lead some onlookers to question the need for the player. Man United already had Jadon Sancho, signed for £76.5m just over 12 months ago, playing on the right wing.

Sancho is in fine form, but will now be asked – or told – to move to the left side. The former Dortmund player has one goal in four Premier League games this season. The pace on both sides gives Man United a different dynamic.

The arrival of the Brazilian will likely force Marcus Rashford to play through the middle, for now, until a proper No. 9 can be signed. Rashford’s days at Manchester United look numbered, even if no one wants to express it verbally.

Rashford has split time this season playing on the left wing and as a central striker. His one goal, which was scored versus Liverpool, came from the centre-forward position. Manchester United lost both games in which Rashford played on the left wing and Cristiano Ronaldo played striker.

Does Antony make Man United better? The short answer is yes, he makes the team better. There is now more attacking depth and the pace he provides gives United a threat down both flanks.

There are still problems at Old Trafford. Ronaldo doesn’t want to be there and Ten Hag doesn’t want him either. Manchester United are also lacking a centre-forward capable of leading the line.

Rashford and Anthony Martial’s injury records are abysmal, and when the going gets difficult, the former tends to fade from games far too easily.

Antony may take some time to settle, but with the Ten Hag Ajax revolution and system being used at Man United, those ex-Ajax players should fit in.