Erik ten Hag reportedly tried to stop Manchester United’s costly transfer of Antony.
Erik ten Hag and Antony
Erik ten Hag and Antony
Manchester United are working tirelessly behind the scenes to shape a more competitive squad under Ruben Amorim this summer.
Several senior players are expected to leave Old Trafford as the Portuguese manager pushes for a more dynamic and disciplined group.
With incomings being planned, there’s just as much focus on moving players out — especially those who have failed to meet expectations since joining the club.
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Antony is one such name who has been repeatedly linked with a departure, following a loan spell at Real Betis that’s reignited interest in his services.
And now, in an astonishing twist, a sensational new revelation has emerged about the original deal that brought the winger to Manchester.
Despite long-standing beliefs that Erik ten Hag was a driving force behind Antony’s £86 million move from Ajax in 2022, a new book has turned the story on its head.
Kees Vos, co-founder of Ten Hag’s agency, claims in Liverpool and the Dutch that the Dutch manager actually tried to block the deal, as reported by The Daily Mail.
“Ten Hag and Vos were not in favour of this and wanted to stop the transfer,” Vos writes, explaining that United’s board pushed through regardless due to interest from Arsenal.
The club were reportedly desperate to beat their rivals to the Brazilian’s signature and eventually spent nearly €100 million to do so.
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It was a staggering fee for a player who has since only managed 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for United.
Antony’s lack of end product saw him loaned out to Betis, where he delivered a far better return of 14 goal contributions in just 26 games.
That resurgence may yet help United recoup some of their losses, as they look to offload him permanently this window.
Former United coach Rene Meulensteen didn’t hold back in his assessment, calling Antony “selfish” and saying Ajax were “doing cartwheels” when the deal was sealed.
He even said Antony should not return, branding the signing “stupid business” and claiming the Premier League was far too fast and physical for him.
With Garnacho also receiving criticism from Meulensteen, United’s wide options are under serious scrutiny — but the real shock lies in who never wanted Antony in Manchester to begin with.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee