Antony | Here we go! €100mill, contract until June 2027, option 'til 2028.

[TheNewEra]

I don't see Antony being a flop. I see it taking him time.

I thought depay would flop but I see Antony being confident in his abilities and willing to try.

Antony is a United player and can deal with pressure

 

[Bossi]

So late 90's/early 2000's, there is a far bigger gap in quality these days, we constantly see the best Dutch league players come over here and struggle over the past 10 -15 years from klassan to depay, the only one that stands out in all of that time that has been a legit success is suarez.

Spurs guys did ok. Dembele, Vertonghen and Eriksen.

Also who is Klassan?

Your point stands though, gap between eredivisie and PL is big. Doesn't mean they can't produce good players, just have to lower expectations somewhat.

 

[hellhunter]

I don't see Antony being a flop. I see it taking him time.

I thought depay would flop but I see Antony being confident in his abilities and willing to try.

Antony is a United player and can deal with pressure

And you didn't think Memphis showed confidence in his abilities? Memphis was all swagger and confidence before we signed him

 

[Rolaholic]

Stam, Bergkamp, Overmars, Robben, RvN, RvP.. I can go on if you want?

Luis Suarez, Park Ji-Sung, Wijnaldum

 

[Big Ben Foster]

What?

We've paid fecking massive money for some dead certs, who've proven plenty, and they've also turned out fecking wank.

All it proves is that whatever the fee, players can turn out good, or shite.

I'm not advocating spending big money on "dead certs". I just think it's suicidal to spend a massive fee on a player from the Dutch league who may not even come good.

 

[roseguy64]

Couldn't we use his apparent desperation to leave as some kind of leverage here and not pay the astronomical fee they're asking for? It's still going to be a huge fee, but maybe negotiate it down a bit. I know it's ultimately down to the club, but you don't want a player who clearly wants to go, and hasn't been shy in showing that.

We absolutely have to. 80m is still way too much but we've already bid that and that should be the most we offer. Stick to the 80m and have Antony force Ajax to accept the amount.

 

[TheNewEra]

And you didn't think Memphis showed confidence in his abilities? Memphis was all swagger and confidence before we signed him

I didnt rate him before he came honestly he doesn't have the build of a winger and he just doesn't seem to have the right traits. He seemed a player that fits in a slower league.

I see Antony being a bit like a Nani and Hazard but he needs time to develop he has intelligence, passing and can beat 2-3 players I think he will draw plenty of fouls at the very least whilst he adapts to the league.

I think it being Ajax and his age he's not worth more than €70m but he's going to be a great player in a season or two. I think we will see glimpses the first year but the Premier league he might get bullied a bit to start with.

 

[Kill 'em all]

Best since last year right..., I here it every year, the reality is Dutch league players hardly ever succeed in the premier and you are missing the point we on course to have be fleeced 3 times this summer which will put our spending to around 200 million on just 4 players of Antony, martinez, a 30 year old casimero and malacia, that does not scream great value for the money spent and is not a sustainable strategy for any club that is not state owned

What? Players moving from the Dutch league for a time were the most successful players in the league and in world football for that matter. A number of Eredivisie players moving to the premier league and being successful is something which I remember as staying as a constant throughout the years.

Overmars, Robben, RVP, RVN, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Eriksen, Suarez, Park, Ibrahimovic, Tadic, Wijnaldum, Bergkamp, I could go on forever.

 

[hellhunter]

I didnt rate him before he came honestly he doesn't have the build of a winger and he just doesn't seem to have the right traits. He seemed a player that fits in a slower league.

I see Antony being a bit like a Nani and Hazard but he needs time to develop he has intelligence, passing and can beat 2-3 players I think he will draw plenty of fouls at the very least whilst he adapts to the league.

I think it being Ajax and his age he's not worth more than €70m but he's going to be a great player in a season or two. I think we will see glimpses the first year but the Premier league he might get bullied a bit to start with.

Yeah that's fair enough. I'm dead against spending so much money on him, but since it seems like we will, I thoroughly hope you're right!

My comment was more about Memphis than Antony, think the thing I'd associate with Memphis the least would be a lack of confidence

 

[TheNewEra]

Yeah that's fair enough. I'm dead against spending so much money on him, but since it seems like we will, I thoroughly hope you're right!

My comment was more about Memphis than Antony, think the thing I'd associate with Memphis the least would be a lack of confidence

Its a lot of money for sure, but I can see why United are doing it

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Steven Bergwijn is currently destroying back 4's in the Dutch League.

Ziyech also did.

Donny looked like Frank Lampard there too.

100m Euros is an absolutely ridiculous amount of money to pay for him. No other club in the world would pay close to that.

The pressure on that guys shoulders to deliver from the off will be huge.

 

[AbusementPark]

What? Players moving from the Dutch league for a time were the most successful players in the league and in world football for that matter. A number of Eredivisie players moving to the premier league and being successful is something which I remember as staying as a constant throughout the years.

Overmars, Robben, RVP, RVN, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Eriksen, Suarez, Park, Ibrahimovic, Tadic, Wijnaldum, Bergkamp, I could go on forever.

RVN done alright as well

 

[AlexUTD]

Steven Bergwijn is currently destroying back 4's in the Dutch League.

Ziyech also did.

Donny looked like Frank Lampard there too.

100m Euros is an absolutely ridiculous amount of money to pay for him. No other club in the world would pay close to that.

The pressure on that guys shoulders to deliver from the off will be huge.

There have been named shitloads of players from the Eresdivisie in this thread that have been world class but guess that does not suit the agenda.

 

[AjaxCunian]

Another thing is that Ajax have paid a lot for Antony in terms of his fee, and the agreement with Sao Paolo. If they sell him for 100 million, Ajax keeps about 80 million. Which is probably the fee they want to keep in their pockets.

They are making this United's trouble, and have the power to do so.

Wish Barcelona did the same.

 

[roseguy64]

I'd still prefer a proper striker to yet another wide player to be honest

We need a wide option more than another striker. Martial is currently unsellable and no one in the CL wants Ronaldo. The challengers for Rashford and Sancho are Elanga who's only squad-level player talent, an unready 18yo Garnacho and Amad and Pellistri who didn't have good loans so might need one more to decide their future. That's a more urgent need.

None of the players behind Rashford and Sancho have shown they're capable at the top level. At least with Martial and Ronaldo they've shown it in multiple years that they can do.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

There have been named shitloads of players from the Eresdivisie in this thread that have been world class but guess that does not suit the agenda.

So 100m Euros then? You're happy with that?

Name me a single club who'd pay that? If you can't then you know there's warning signs.

 

[roseguy64]

Still wrangles this wasn't our FIRST signing of window not FIFTH, we could have got him for half the price and still had plenty of money for RB, CM too

What price could we have got him for?

 

[mu4c_20le]

There have been named shitloads of players from the Eresdivisie in this thread that have been world class but guess that does not suit the agenda.

From this decade? The game has evolved

 

[Teja]

Steven Bergwijn is currently destroying back 4's in the Dutch League.

Ziyech also did.

Donny looked like Frank Lampard there too.

100m Euros is an absolutely ridiculous amount of money to pay for him. No other club in the world would pay close to that.

The pressure on that guys shoulders to deliver from the off will be huge.

Yeah I'm actually amazed that they're this certain about him. I'd understand if it was guys like Haaland - scoring for fun in the CL but they should really really trust EtH to spend this much on a relatively unproven player.

 

[hellhunter]

From this decade? The game has evolved

Yeah, think the flops far outweigh the hits the last 10 years. Of course this doesn't necessarily mean anything for Antony, it just signifies what a massive gamble this is

 

[roseguy64]

Can Ajax really afford to turn down an €80m bid for a player who wants out like it's nothing? That was the valuation they put on the player earlier in the summer and they're arbitrarily tagging on an extra €20m to try and exploit the situation we're in.

If they want a couple of extra million because it's late in the window, fine. But we absolutely shouldn't go as high as €100m.

They said 100m a few weeks ago. They're not just now raising the price.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Yeah I'm actually amazed that they're this certain about him. I'd understand if it was guys like Haaland - scoring for fun in the CL but they should really really trust EtH to spend this much on a relatively unproven player.

He could come and take to the PL like a duck to water and bang in 15 goals and get 15 assists too. We don't know do we?

However not even the oil clubs would pay 100m euros for him as this stage. And they have money to burn.

I just think it's a hugely risky deal and if he doesn't work out it's yet another huge money deal disaster. Very unfair pressure on the boy too as at that fee he won't be afforded settling in time

 

[AlexUTD]

So 100m Euros then? You're happy with that?

Name me a single club who'd pay that? If you can't then you know there's warning signs.

We are at the end of the transfer window cause the board are shit in dealing with transfers,yes its alot but do we walk away then cause cause he should be 60-70M and go into a season with way too many games on top of each other cause of WC with so few attackers?

If ETH sees something in this kid after seeing him trtain almost everyday for a couple of years i rather take his word over anyone else.

 

[roseguy64]

This is what I don't get. If we're willing to dish out that kind of money on a single player, why not go for an absolute top, top player that we know he'd deliver? Instead we're going for an unknown commodity that might turn out great but it might turn into a flop.

This is where I'm at. We could get a much more proven talent for the 100m and everyone would be loving it. Spend that 100m on someone as proven as Foden or Gnabry and you'd see far less worry.

 

[SoulSurvivor]

Steven Bergwijn is currently destroying back 4's in the Dutch League.

Ziyech also did.

Donny looked like Frank Lampard there too.

100m Euros is an absolutely ridiculous amount of money to pay for him. No other club in the world would pay close to that.

The pressure on that guys shoulders to deliver from the off will be huge.

So what about v Persie, v Nistelrooij or Suarez ?
Don't compare every Eredivisie player with Donny.

Ajax is currently ranked 10th best club in the world. Not bad for an Eredivisie club.

But yes 100m is way to much for Antony. But let's give him a fair chance.
I will miss him. But i would love to see him play in a bigger league.

Hopefully, he will do well for Man United.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

We are at the end of the transfer window cause the board are shit in dealing with transfers,yes its alot but do we walk away then cause cause he should be 60-70M and go into a season with way too many games on top of each other cause of WC with so few attackers?

If ETH sees something in this kid after seeing him trtain almost everyday for a couple of years i rather take his word over anyone else.

But as I have just told you....players who stand out in that league don't really mean anything. Steven Bergwijn was a bit part player for Spurs. Not even deemed good enough to start and this season he will probably be the best player in that league.

Antony could come in and be a revelation but 100m is just a ridiculous amount of money to pay for him, I'm sorry.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

So what about v Persie, v Nistelrooij or Suarez ?
Don't compare every Eredivisie player with Donny.

Ajax is currently ranked 10th best club in the world. Not bad for an Eredivisie club.

But yes 100m is way to much for Antony. But let's give him a fair chance.
I will miss him. But i would love to see him play in a bigger league.

Hopefully, he will do well for Man United.

"100m is way too much" in your own words.

That's enough then. City and Liverpool walk away from these situations. We don't. That's why they are top well ran clubs and we aren't.

 

[Chief123]

What can Antony do that Sancho/Rashford can't? Genuine question.

Take on a man successfully.

 

[Adnan]

And you didn't think Memphis showed confidence in his abilities? Memphis was all swagger and confidence before we signed him

I was actually in a small minority who didn't want us to sign Depay. His problem was that his ability in tight spaces wasn't good enough imo and I stated as such on this forum at the time.

But he was another player who we signed due to his numbers (goals/assists) when it was clear his ability in open play was average. He still had a good career and has done okay, but he was never a player who was going to enhance/evolve our build up/transition play as a wide attacker imo.

We've got too many players who aren't of the requisite ability when it comes to enhancing the build up play/transitions. But people defend them by pointing to their numbers in the last few years, whilst at the same time we aren't evolving as a team when it comes to transitioning play from back to front.

I could be wrong, but imo Antony will turn out to be a important player for us due to his first touch/ball control, dribbling at pace along with his work rate and ability to understand the meaning of a coordinated press. He's a dynamic player who exhibits a high intensity play style both in offensive and defensive transition that is missing in our team. He's still young at 22, but I think he's got the potential to be a world class attacker and he's going to improve further in the coming years.

 

[The Bloody-Nine]

But as I have just told you....players who stand out in that league don't really mean anything. Steven Bergwijn was a bit part player for Spurs. Not even deemed good enough to start and this season he will probably be the best player in that league.

Antony could come in and be a revelation but 100m is just a ridiculous amount of money to pay for him, I'm sorry.

I agree. It's crazy. That amount of money should get you a proven at the highest level, world class player. Antony is neither.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

So 100m Euros then? You're happy with that?

Name me a single club who'd pay that? If you can't then you know there's warning signs.

No one bar man City were willing to pay 100m for jack grealish either. So what?

 

[DanielofLeyland]

I think we just have to trust the manager. It's a crazy amount of money but it doesn't really matter if he costs 100 million or 10 million. If he plays regularly for Man Utd and he doesn't perform well then he will be criticised left, right and centre. It's the nature of the beast when playing for such a high-profile club.

If EtH wants Antony and the club can afford him then do it. Too many of these transfer threads have fans jumping in negatively on how these players might be 'disasters' if signed. I think we are all worried about continuing the current malaise whereby we buy for a lot and let go for free after four years of very little.

I've raised my eyebrows over a few players we have been linked with, particularly Rabiot, but Antony offers us something we need and the manager trusts he will deliver. Hopefully it will work out. If EtH is the manager we all hope him to be then he will.

 

[hellhunter]

I was actually in a small minority who didn't want us to sign Depay. His problem was that his ability in tight spaces wasn't good enough imo and I stated as such on this forum at the time.

But he was another player who we signed due to his numbers (goals/assists) when it was clear his ability in open play was average. He still had a good career and has done okay, but he was never a player who was going to enhance/evolve our build up/transition play as a wide attacker imo.

We've got too many players who aren't of the requisite ability when it comes to enhancing the build up play/transitions. But people defend them by pointing to their numbers in the last few years, whilst at the same time we aren't evolving as a team when it comes to transitioning play from back to front.

I could be wrong, but imo Antony will turn out to be a important player for us due to his first touch/ball control, dribbling at pace along with his work rate and ability to understand the meaning of a coordinated press. He's a dynamic player who exhibits a high intensity play style both in offensive and transition that is missing in our team. He's still young at 22, but I think he's got the potential to be a world class attacker and he's going to improve further in the coming years.

All fair points, and while I'm against this transfer for that amount of money, I can't help being excited about a flashy Brazilian winger full of flair, dribbling and trickery, with great control and work rate on top

 

[Jacob]

Not excited about this one at all. He always seems to take too many touches and will slow down the play with little to show for it. Fancy flicks here and there, falling over easily and erratic shots is what we can expect going by YouTube.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

No one bar man City were willing to pay 100m for jack grealish either. So what?

I said at the time he wasn't worth 100m. They definitely got that one wrong. However tbf Grealish had delivered in an elite league.

Also, unfortunately for us....City are debt free and owned by a man worth 40bn not looking for a return on his money. Hahahaha

 

[Toad]

Just get him. Could do with another name to be happy with for a couple of weeks

 

[unplayable]

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[HookedOnAPhelan]

I agree. It's crazy. That amount of money should get you a proven at the highest level, world class player. Antony is neither.

Liverpool spent the same amount of money this summer on a player who is neither of those things.

 

[Adam-Utd]

"100m is way too much" in your own words.

That's enough then. City and Liverpool walk away from these situations. We don't. That's why they are top well ran clubs and we aren't.

City and Liverpool are also in way better situations than we are.

Sometimes when you are struggling you have to make a big splash. They overpaid for plenty of players back when they were trying to climb again.

DId they walk away from Van Dijk? did they walk away from Grealish?

 

[hellhunter]

Liverpool spent the same amount of money this summer on a player who is neither of those things.

And have been ridiculed for it.

Wether Antony will become a success or not, wish people would stop comparing it to situations we were heavily laughing about