Antony’s transition to Manchester United has been far from seamless, as he has struggled to find his footing since his £85 million transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022. The 23-year-old Brazilian winger, despite his hefty price tag, has failed to make the expected impact, with only eight goals in 54 appearances across various competitions.
Before his move to Old Trafford, former Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk expressed concerns about Antony’s scoring abilities in a Dutch newspaper column for De Telegraaf. Van Marwijk asserted that Antony is not a prolific scorer, and Manchester United might have paid a premium for his services. He emphasized that Antony’s strength lies in his ability to create opportunities and provide assists, showcasing his spectacular actions on the field. However, Van Marwijk questioned whether Antony could adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League.
In contrast, Van Marwijk suggested that Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, who was with PSV Eindhoven at the time, might have been a better fit for Erik ten Hag’s system at Manchester United due to his physical prowess and willingness to work tirelessly for the team. While Gakpo may be less flashy than Antony, he is regarded as an ideal team player.
Ultimately, Antony’s struggles in England have raised questions about the value of his signing, as his scoring record falls short of the expectations set by his massive transfer fee.