Erik ten Hag has come under fire from Simon Jordan, who claims Antony was a “waste of money” and that the manager needed to be questioned about why he purchased him “especially as he knew him.”
Erik ten Hag has never signed a player for more money than Antony. The Brazilian cost roughly £85 million, which is about £24 million more than the manager has ever paid for a player.
After Paul Pogba, he is also the second-most expensive player in United history.
But according to Jordan, the winger hasn’t really done anything, and Ten Hag need to be held accountable for acquiring a player who he should have known better.
Jordan stated on talkSPORT, “Of course, there is pressure and, of course, there is an expectation because if you spend big money on players, you naturally expect big outcomes.”
“There’s less talk about a £25 million football player who fails. In this case, Antony would have been a terrible purchase for £25 million because of his poor performance in all areas of his life.
“He hasn’t added anything. Other than making headlines, what has he delivered to Manchester United? Nothing on the football field, for sure.
“Therefore, while it may have been a waste of money at £25 million, you have to ask yourself why the manager purchased him at £85 million, especially since he was acquainted with him.”
Antony has only had a supporting role.
Ten Hag has given preference to players like Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo over Antony this season.
In fact, the Brazilian only played one minute in the League Cup against Barnsley, but he received a full ninety minutes in the Premier League.
With Marcus Rashford on the pitch, he appeared to have earned a sympathy penalty, but after that, it was stated that he had reached his peak and shouldn’t be limited to playing well against weaker opponents.
Marcel Van der Kraan remarked, “If Antony’s playing has declined to the Carabao Cup against Barnsley, then that is not the sort of line you want to take in your career when you move for so much money.”
Garnacho, 20, has already tallied four goals and three assists this season.
United is planning squad upgrades.
In the future, United hopes to avoid making a transfer error as expensive as Antony’s.
They have a number of talents in various positions on their radar, including Leon Goretzka, a midfielder for Bayern Munich who is reportedly frustrated with his lack of playing time this year.
However, Vincent Kompany has said that the midfield player is adored, implying that it could be difficult for United to pry him away.
Karim Adeyemi is a target for United and Liverpool in the attacking department, and sources indicate that Borussia Dortmund may have difficulty holding onto him.
The most recent connections are to Martin Baturina of Dinamo Zagreb, who United is expected to be able to sign before Real Madrid, another interested party.
What is Antony’s United performance?
This season, Antony has played less minutes in the Premier League than usual, and for good cause. With just one goal and one assist in 29 games during the previous campaign, he had a terrible time.
In the FA Cup, he did, at least, score twice and provide an assist once, bringing his season total to three goals and two assists.
In contrast, Antony needed 38 games to get those totals the previous season. Garnacho has already surpassed that in only six games this season.
The Brazilian finished the previous season with eight goals and three assists across all competitions.
Antony has 12 goals and five helpers in 84 games for United. With an overall total of 17 goals for a player valued at £85 million, United has paid £5 million for each goal that he has contributed thus far.
