Manchester United have admitted they paid too much money to sign Brazilian forward Antony from Ajax last summer but insist they had valid reasoning for doing so

Antony has scored in successive games for Man United after a barren spell (Image: Dave Thompson/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Manchester United have accepted they paid over the odds to sign Antony from Ajax this summer but insist they had their reasons.

The Brazil international arrived at Old Trafford last August in an eye-catching £81.3million move, rising to £85.5m with contract-related add-ons. Antony has scored five goals for the club, including in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Charlton.

Antony has split opinion since his move to United with eye-catching goals and technical ability combined with periods of inconsistency while having his sizeable fee lingering in the background as the context of the expectations that have been placed upon him.

United fans have been frustrated by the Brazil international’s one-footedness, showing a reluctance to use his right foot and his insistence not to go down the line on the right flank. Erik ten Hag will hardly be surprised by this development having coached him for two years at Ajax, although the boss did brand one incident of apparent showboating as “ridiculous”.

Antony scored on his United debut in a 3-1 win over Arsenal and also netted a spectacular goal in the Manchester derby loss at Manchester City back in October, before going eight matches without a goal until finding the target in Friday’s FA Cup Third Round triumph over Everton.

“He is a young player we have to develop, but he has to develop himself,” Ten Hag said of Antony in an honest assessment. “We have to expect more from him. He needs challenges. That’s why he came to the Premier League. He will step up. In the first weeks, he’s scored goals, he did good stuff, but also I see a lot of room for improvement in his game.”

Antony arrived at Old Trafford this summer in a big-money move from Ajax ( Image: Getty Images)

Despite private admittance in the corridors of Old Trafford that the club overspent in acquiring Antony, they believe their judgement for doing so was sound. A report in ESPN has outlined three key reasons for United’s stance.

United’s need for a right-sided forward was pressing but only three players made their shortlist for the position. By contrast, when acquiring Lisandro Martinez – there were five left-footed central defenders whom the club had shortlisted as potential signings.

Antony has scored in each of Man United’s last two matches ( Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Furthermore, United were impressed by Antony’s desire to join the club – highlighted by submitting a transfer request to Ajax ahead of the move – while the Red Devils’ judgement of what rival European sides would aim for in 2023 suggested right-sided forwards would be in high demand, so the Brazilian’s price would increase further.

United had been monitoring the player since his breakthrough at Sao Paulo as a teenager, but his development at Ajax and subsequent link to Ten Hag’s appointment helped them make a definitive decision on his arrival.

source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/