Man United is getting closer to signing the Brazilian winger before the summer transfer window closes.
Erik ten Hag appears to be getting his man, with Manchester United drawing closer to signing Antony from Ajax.
MEN Sport reported earlier this week that United was confident in signing the Brazilian winger. Antony criticized his present club on Friday for obstructing his move to Old Trafford owing to the lateness of the transfer deadline.
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The 22-year-old was left out of Ajax’s squad to face FC Utrecht on Sunday, and the Manchester Evening News understands that a €100 million deal is close to being finalized. Ten Hag will now have to decide who his best starting XI will be if he comes in.
As things stand, here is what the MEN consider to be United’s best team if Antony signs.
Due to a lack of goalkeeping options, David de Gea remains the club’s number one keeper. Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia have all excelled to varying degrees in the last two matches and would complete a familiar back-five.
Casemiro started on the bench against Southampton, but after his assured cameo, it seems just a matter of time before he is playing for 90 minutes. His midfield partner is still up for question, but Christian Eriksen has done well after being overawed at Brentford and deserves to keep his spot – Scott McTominay and Fred will be pushing hard for a start.
Bruno Fernandes has taken over as United’s captain in the absence of Harry Maguire and would be the finest option for the ‘number 10’ position. Antony, who has already joined in this scenario, would be best placed on the right of the front three, a position more familiar to the newcomer.
Ten Hag would then be forced to choose between Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on the left. Rashford likes that position to his England teammate, and he may edge over Sancho for the starting spot, though this may be interchangeable.
Anthony Martial, if fit, will have to lead the line at this point. If he can avoid injuries, the Frenchman appears like he could truly thrive under Ten Hag, and with Cristiano Ronaldo’s future uncertain, his moment as United’s first-choice striker could have arrived.
