Manchester United urged to sell ‘very predictable’ Erik ten Hag signing in January

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen says the club should strongly consider cutting their losses on Antony when the January transfer window opens for business.

Antony arrived at United with weighty expectations on his shoulders back in 2022, with the winger following Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford in an eye-watering £82million move.

But the 24-year-old attacker has so far flattered to deceive with the Red Devils, managing just five league goals across two-and-a-half underwhelming seasons in the north west.

Recent reports emanating out of the Theatre of Dreams suggested United had run out of patience with Antony and were keen to move the misfiring Brazil international on this winter.

Antony’s one and only start since Ruben Amorim’s arrival came in United’s Europa League win over Bodo Glimt and there has been little to no indication that the forward could be set to turn his fortunes around under his new manager.

United legend Gary Neville recently named as one of the ‘worst signings in the club’s history’ and Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant, Meulensteen, echoed these comments while speaking to Lucky Block.

According to Meulensteen, a trusted assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007 to 2013, United have little option but to consider offloading Antony next month.

‘Manchester United might have to bite the bullet and cut their losses with Antony in January, because I don’t think he has the attributes to contribute to what Ruben Amorim wants,’ Meulensteen said.

I find it difficult to see where he fits into this team. I think he’s been one of the biggest misfiring transfers in the Premier League in recent years.

‘He’s another example of a player who comes from the Dutch league – which I know really well – where you can win seven out of ten games with two fingers up your nose and you don’t have to break a sweat. In the Premier League, you have to be absolutely top class in every game you play.’

Meulensteen believes there have been enough signs, both on and off the pitch, that Antony is not the right fit for United.

‘I think the biggest thing that has held Antony back is his own personality – he’s got certain characteristics that don’t sit very well with some of the other players,’ he added.

‘Away from that though, there’s a lack of effectiveness as a player. He’s very predictable in the way he wants to cut in on his left foot.

‘We hardly see any quality assists or chance creation from him and I think we could see him elsewhere by the end of January.’

Antony came on for Noussair Mazraoui at right wing-back in United’s stunning comeback win over Manchester City on Sunday and Amorim said the Brazilian was ‘improving’ in the position.

But the United boss stressed that Antony would need to work on the defensive side of his game if he had any chance of making the role his own going forward.

‘I think, when we started, everybody is from scratch,’ the United head coach told talkSPORT after United’s 2-1 victory.

We took like one month to explain that everything has a new beginning because every person deserves a new beginning and the power is in their hands because, if they show it, I will put them in to play.

‘I just want to win. They are responsible to play, not me.

‘He did a great job improving in that position. He has to defend more but he has the ability to do it and has to do it himself.’

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