Numerous Premier League clubs now on red alert after United give ‘green light’ to £200k-p/w Red’s January exit

Among the ever-growing list of questionable, failed Manchester United signings in the last decade, Antony has certainly cemented his place around the top.

Countless players have come, tried, and eventually floundered when wearing one of the heaviest shirts in European football. For Antony, it’s his unfathomable price tag that instantaneously cast him into the limelight. 

United were foolish enough to fork out £86 million when trying to prise the Brazilian from Ajax, with Erik ten Hag adamant that he wanted his former protegee at his disposal throughout his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.

Then, when he scored three goals in his first three Premier League appearances, fans were optimistic that Antony could eventually live up to his ludicrous price so long as he’s returning such goal contributions each week. However, things quickly went downhill from there.

United ready to cut their losses and sanction Antony exit

Antony would go on to add only one league goal to his account in his subsequent 22 appearances, making supporters wait six months before he eventually found the back of the net again in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in April 2023. The following season, he scored only once in 29 league outings.

As such, it came as no surprise when Ten Hag eventually conceded defeat and opted to utilise the other talents at his disposal. Alejandro Garnacho, 20, whose career remains on an upward trajectory after his breakthrough in 2022/2023, now ranks above his 24-year-old counterpart in the pecking order – as does Amad Diallo, 22. 

According to a fresh report from Goal today, the Red Devils have given the ‘green light’ to Antony leaving the club on loan in January, which has sparked the interest of a handful of English top-flight clubs.

United intend for the forward to remain in Europe in hopes that he drives up his transfer valuation ahead of a potential permanent sale next summer, though they acknowledge that they won’t recuperate anywhere near the money paid for him.