MANCHESTER UNITED will face Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Antony was seen smiling for a photo with Diogo Dalot in Manchester United training before of Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash with fierce rivals Manchester City. The Brazil international signed from Ajax in the summer transfer window and has had a good start to life at Old Trafford. And he’s aiming to bond with his new teammate both on and off the field, with the two poised to be major characters on Erik ten Hag’s right flank.
Manchester United had to be patient in order to sign Antony.
Ajax had made it obvious that they did not want to lose the 22-year-old, who led Ajax to the Eredivisie title last season with eight goals and four assists.
United, on the other hand, struck gold by spending a whopping £84 million, with only Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire joining the club for more.
Antony has recently returned to training with the Red Devils after a stint away with the Brazil national team, where he played in triumphs over Ghana and Tunisia.
Getty photographs show the Samba star posing with Dalot, and the two appear to be overjoyed to be reunited.
Dalot has been a bright spot for United this season, with the 23-year-old improving by leaps and bounds since Ten Hag took over as manager.
He has started all six of his team’s Premier League games, as well as both Europa League games against Sheriff and Real Sociedad.
Dalot was down in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pecking order a year ago, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka frequently receiving the nod at right-back instead.
However, after being reintroduced to the club by interim manager Ralf Rangnick, he has been able to keep Wan-Bissaka out of the team and take over the role.
Both Antony and Dalot are expected to be crucial contributors on the right flank as United seeks their first Premier League title since 2013.
And a win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday would be a statement of purpose, especially given the reigning Premier League champions’ strength.
Shola Shoretire, Raphael Varane, Charlie McNeill, Alejandro Garnacho, and Scott McTominay were also put through their paces in United training.
And Jadon Sancho was pictured in action, despite being left out of England’s squad despite a strong start to the season.
Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that Antony was once a Chelsea transfer target, having been identified as a player of interest by club scouts.
Piet de Visser, a scout for Chelsea under Roman Abramovich, revealed the Blues’ interest in a podcast with Voetbal Nieuws.
“We met him for the first time at Brazil’s youth ranks with Hans van der Zee [former Ajax head scout] and we were both smitten by him,” he remarked.
“That was a couple years ago, right before he moved to Ajax.”
“I thought he needed an intermediary step, but Hans recommended Ajax.” And then we’d kidnap him directly from Ajax.”
“We couldn’t get him, and I really wanted him.”
“He’s a kid with poison in his tummy.” He occasionally crosses the boundary, but he’s from the favela, doesn’t he?”
United will be looking to prevent a recurrence of last season’s home and away losses to Manchester City.
In a 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, they were outplayed and outfought.
They were then thrashed 4-1 at the Etihad, with Sancho’s wonderful goal on the day serving as a minor consolation.
