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

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You can't be putting a lad who played once or twice a season in the league cup when Schmeichel had to go to get his hair washed onto a hit list.
 
People need to stop with this entitled bullshit. Ajax have every right to reject any offer we present, whether it's €100m or €1000m. The player is under contract with them, and they've already lost 5 first team players this window. It should be easy to understand why they're very reluctant to let another one go. They don't owe us anything.

I don't think people are moaning at us being owed something but how stupid their manager can be. He is talking of messing up a fortune transfer for what, a disrupted squad
 
Agree with the Van der Gouw fanboys. I’m 38 so was only 15-16 at the time he was around but can’t recall him being nothing but solid whenever he played. Can’t remember if he was bought in to eventually replace Schmeichel or just as a backup? Would assume the later as he is older than Schmeichel, at least in my head he is.
 
You can't be putting a lad who played once or twice a season in the league cup when Schmeichel had to go to get his hair washed onto a hit list.

Signed to be a dependable number two, and was exactly that... Filled in when Peter went on his mid-season break, and played in one of two really big games (Arsenal away springs to mind).

He did exactly what we signed him to do.
 
The new Ajax manager is a bit weird

Not really what I expect from a club with such pedigree. He seems to have no idea how to handle the media which should ring alarm bells for the club.
 
Was the manager saying similar about Martinez? Seems odd that he keeps putting his reputation on this deal, he’s said multiple times that Antony will stay. cnut.
The real issue here is that Schreuder had been made assurances before signing that besides clearing out players on short term contracts, some deadwood + Haller (limited contribution in the build-up, wasteful with goal scoring opportunities) there wouldn't be any other major players leaving and certainly not to the point where the entire squad is ripped apart.

Many players move, the board is holding a fire sale and guess who is going to be held responsible if results are lacking five months in ... Not the players and certainly not the board.

This is him reminding the board on the promises that they made so he wouldn't have to start building a team from scratch.
They just had their Champions League draw and all they are talking about is Manchester United and Antony. FFS. Focus on you group draw ask some questions about their opponents. Why are they being allowed to ask so many questions about Antony and even worse, why are they answering.
Dutch football journalists don't care about football, only about causing conflicts. They're renowned for trying to talk every player into moving abroad at the first opportunity even if they're clearly not ready for it so they can spend the entire season complaining how much better other leagues are and how sh*tty our own league and the players in it are. Then when the players they practically chased across the border fail they can do gloating reports on that.

Highly toxic bunch.


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There is also the rumour from a few months ago that Ajax and Ten Hag had a gentleman's agreement that he wouldn't take any players with him. That might explain Ajax's efforts to make life as difficult as possible for Ten Hag by making United bleed for as much as possible.
 
I remember €80m asking price is originated from some reports during early July, after we failed our opening offer for him.

https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/man-utd-antony-asking-price-winger-ajax/blt2a9739d0a717ba2d

But after that, who knows, maybe Ajax never want to sell him, and just quoted whatever price which sounds impossible for us to go further. Its impossible to tell what they really want, there will never be an official source for that. But like I said, the timing of us putting this bid, would means we are likely to pay a premium. If we really want him we should do the bid earlier, to allow more time for them to look for a replacement.

As far as I know, Goal is not much reliable when they don’t quote real journalistic outlets. They don’t have much of a work or truth ethic. As you say, and I’m sure you’re right, others wrote similar stuff, but nothing I can remember as too convincing. I think we made two bids, whom I guess most would think were reasonable, but of course the more time has gone on, the less desireable it has become for them to sell this season. On the other hand, who would, in mid July, have said we should for instance forget about De Jong and bid €80m for Antony? I doubt there would be many. Was Murtaugh provided with the same budget in July as he seems to be now? I am guessing not, which in that case is on The Glazers. But even this is mostly guesswork.

I think it’s important to note that ‘we’ are not a unified mind. Joel Glazer is not Avram Glazer is not Arnold is not Murtaugh is not current acting Head scout is not Ten Hag, and this assemblage as a total is learning to know each other week by week. What ‘we’ ‘really want’ is likely to change for a while - even in the best of scenarios actually. I think there are signs of clumsiness this window, but I don’t read too much into it yet.

Martinez - Malacia - Casemiro - Eriksen doesn’t look too bad in a window, and if we should add Antony it would look fairly good, and quite sensible targets as well. Even without Antony, I never expected anything more than what Rangnik called ‘open heart surgery’, and specified as 8-10 new players over at least three windows.
 
It's in Chelsea's best interests if Antony to United doesn't happen.

The Brazil coach Tite recently said that he wants his players to be playing in the major European leagues to best stand a chance of making the first 11 for the World Cup. So it's understandable that Antony is pushing to leave.
 
People need to stop with this entitled bullshit. Ajax have every right to reject any offer we present, whether it's €100m or €1000m. The player is under contract with them, and they've already lost 5 first team players this window. It should be easy to understand why they're very reluctant to let another one go. They don't owe us anything.
Yeah but it’s not because it’s us and it’s not because we’re entitled.

It’s these things:

1. The size of the fee which is very large (difficult to say no).

2. The quality of the league he’d be coming to. (difficult to deny a player that)

3. The reputation of Ajax as a club who recruit young talent, develop the talent and then allow the talent to move on. (risk of future talents going elsewhere for fear they won’t be allowed to leave Ajax)

Ajax can block this move (and they have every right to) but it’s not a good idea in this case.
 
As far as I know, Goal is not much reliable when they don’t quote real journalistic outlets. They don’t have much of a work or truth ethic. As you say, and I’m sure you’re right, others wrote similar stuff, but nothing I can remember as too convincing. I think we made two bids, whom I guess most would think were reasonable, but of course the more time has gone on, the less desireable it has become for them to sell this season. On the other hand, who would, in mid July, have said we should for instance forget about De Jong and bid €80m for Antony? I doubt there would be many. Was Murtaugh provided with the same budget in July as he seems to be now? I am guessing not, which in that case is on The Glazers. But even this is mostly guesswork.

I think it’s important to note that ‘we’ are not a unified mind. Joel Glazer is not Avram Glazer is not Arnold is not Murtaugh is not current acting Head scout is not Ten Hag, and this assemblage as a total is learning to know each other week by week. What ‘we’ ‘really want’ is likely to change for a while - even in the best of scenarios actually. I think there are signs of clumsiness this window, but I don’t read too much into it yet.

Martinez - Malacia - Casemiro - Eriksen doesn’t look too bad in a window, and if we should add Antony it would look fairly good, and quite sensible targets as well. Even without Antony, I never expected anything more than what Rangnik called ‘open heart surgery’, and specified as 8-10 new players over at least three windows.
Agree with everything here.

It was also stated in April by Marcel van der Kraan about Ajax wanting between £70m to £90m for Antony. Which is about 80m to a 100m in euros.

 
The new Ajax manager is a bit weird

Not really what I expect from a club with such pedigree. He seems to have no idea how to handle the media which should ring alarm bells for the club.
He looks like a yes man. They probably just need him to steady the ship, rather than take them to the next level.
 
Agree with everything here.

It was also stated in April by Marcel van der Kraan about Ajax wanting between £70m to £90m for Antony. Which is about 80m to a 100m in euros.


Yea, it would make sense.
this tweet reminds me of Fabregas and Moyes. We'll definitely panic buy Depay
We should always have either Memphis or Pogba on the roster. They can tag team.
 
Signed to be a dependable number two, and was exactly that... Filled in when Peter went on his mid-season break, and played in one of two really big games (Arsenal away springs to mind).

He did exactly what we signed him to do.

That's fair enough. I guess I just don't agree with the idea of signing no2's who are just happy to play second fiddle. It was the same with Romero who I thought was a cracking keeper with questionable ambition.

I prefer to see young, hungry keepers in as backup, who put pressure on the no1 - eventually either usurping him or moving on to better things so we can bring another lad in.
 
That's fair enough. I guess I just don't agree with the idea of signing no2's who are just happy to play second fiddle. It was the same with Romero who I thought was a cracking keeper with questionable ambition.

I prefer to see young, hungry keepers in as backup, who put pressure on the no1 - eventually either usurping him or moving on to better things so we can bring another lad in.

Fair enough, though I feel thats rarely how number 2's have ever really worked at any club?

Are there many number 2's that actually usurped the number 1?
 
Don't want to derail the thread but Richarlison stats for last two seasons (in Premiership ) - 40 apps, 13 goals and 33 apps and 11 goals. Antony in last two seasons in Dutch league - 46 apps 11 goals and 35 apps 12 goals. I know that is only part of the story but if you think Richarlison is average then what do you think of Antony?
Antony's statistics should be recalibrated for Champions League football, if he is going to be derided for playing in the Eredivisie. Those statistics should probably be adjusted for time played and set piece goals as well (as Antony is not the regular penalty taker for Ajax, whereas Richarlison scored 3 penalty goals last season for Everton (twice vs. Burnley and once vs. Brentford)).
  • Richarlison in 2020—21: 13 goals and 3 assists in ~3350 minutes (257 minutes per goal and 1116 minutes per assist)
  • Richarlison in 2021—22: 11 goals and 5 assists in ~2750 minutes (250 minutes per goal and 550 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2020—21: 10 goals and 10 assists in ~2870 minutes (287 minutes per goal and 287 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2021—22: 12 goals and 10 assists in ~2535 minutes (211 minutes per goal and 254 minutes per assist)
For what it's worth, Richarlison is a good player who is fully acclimatized to the Premier League. And Antony is definitely over-priced, no doubt about it. And the same-ish statistics (at surface level) can be used to tell different stories. But there are zero (or very few) top-class right wingers or potentially top-class right wingers (not right forwards or strikers operating out wide) who are available and exceed his capabilities (or potential capabilities) as a flank-hugging winger in ten Hag's system. If Ajax won't let him go for a smaller fee, United will have to overpay and hope that he proves to be a good investment in the medium to long term — he has the talent to do so and has improved every season; whether thay translates to the Premier League is anyone's guess at this point in time. :)
 
this tweet reminds me of Fabregas and Moyes. We'll definitely panic buy Depay

I’d take current day Depay as he’s better centrally now in my opinion, I’d rather have him and Martial fighting for the central role plus being depth on the left.

God he's some proper alien head looking mofo ain't he?

Schreuder looks like the illegitimate love child of Mike Phelan and Paul Parker.
 
Antony's statistics should be recalibrated for Champions League football, if he is going to be derided for playing in the Eredivisie. Those statistics should probably be adjusted for time played and set piece goals as well (as Antony is not the regular penalty taker for Ajax, whereas Richarlison scored 3 penalty goals last season for Everton (twice vs. Burnley and once vs. Brentford)).
  • Richarlison in 2020—21: 13 goals and 3 assists in ~3350 minutes (257 minutes per goal and 1116 minutes per assist)
  • Richarlison in 2021—22: 11 goals and 5 assists in ~2750 minutes (250 minutes per goal and 550 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2020—21: 10 goals and 10 assists in ~2870 minutes (287 minutes per goal and 287 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2021—22: 12 goals and 10 assists in ~2535 minutes (211 minutes per goal and 254 minutes per assist)
For what it's worth, Richarlison is a good player who is fully acclimatized to the Premier League. And Antony is definitely over-priced, no doubt about it. And the same-ish statistics (at surface level) can be used to tell different stories. But there are zero (or very few) top-class right wingers or potentially top-class right wingers (not right forwards or strikers operating out wide) who are available and exceed his capabilities (or potential capabilities) as a flank-hugging winger in ten Hag's system. If Ajax won't let him go for a smaller fee, United will have to overpay and hope that he proves to be a good investment in the medium to long term — he has the talent to do so and has improved every season; whether thay translates to the Premier League is anyone's guess at this point in time. :)
Very good post. Thanks.

Probably not the point you were making but when you also take into account his age, there is an argument that Antony is worth more than Richarlison.
 
I’d take current day Depay as he’s better centrally now in my opinion, I’d rather have him and Martial fighting for the central role plus being depth on the left.



Schreuder looks like the illegitimate love child of Mike Phelan and Paul Parker.
i was going to say Mike Phelan as well. A cross between Phelan and Danny Boyle.
 
Antony's statistics should be recalibrated for Champions League football, if he is going to be derided for playing in the Eredivisie. Those statistics should probably be adjusted for time played and set piece goals as well (as Antony is not the regular penalty taker for Ajax, whereas Richarlison scored 3 penalty goals last season for Everton (twice vs. Burnley and once vs. Brentford)).
  • Richarlison in 2020—21: 13 goals and 3 assists in ~3350 minutes (257 minutes per goal and 1116 minutes per assist)
  • Richarlison in 2021—22: 11 goals and 5 assists in ~2750 minutes (250 minutes per goal and 550 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2020—21: 10 goals and 10 assists in ~2870 minutes (287 minutes per goal and 287 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2021—22: 12 goals and 10 assists in ~2535 minutes (211 minutes per goal and 254 minutes per assist)
For what it's worth, Richarlison is a good player who is fully acclimatized to the Premier League. And Antony is definitely over-priced, no doubt about it. And the same-ish statistics (at surface level) can be used to tell different stories. But there are zero (or very few) top-class right wingers or potentially top-class right wingers (not right forwards or strikers operating out wide) who are available and exceed his capabilities (or potential capabilities) as a flank-hugging winger in ten Hag's system. If Ajax won't let him go for a smaller fee, United will have to overpay and hope that he proves to be a good investment in the medium to long term — he has the talent to do so and has improved every season; whether thay translates to the Premier League is anyone's guess at this point in time. :)
Brilliant post.

If the selling club say X & you offer Y then the likelihood is you don’t get the player. Now in some situations that’s fine & you move on to another player in the Y price range but if we don’t pay X for Antony what do we do? Where is the other Right Winger of similar profile, who is obtainable for less?

The reported fee for Antony is staggering but Pepe moved to Arsenal for £72/€79million in 2019, inflation is a bitch. Someone listed attacking players who have recently moved for large fees & this Antony deal doesn’t look that far off to me. My frustration is we likely could have gotten a steal had we not delayed over FdJ & moved earlier in the Summer but the overpayment now is simply the result of that.

Now it could all go terribly wrong but EtH gets this Summer at a minimum to buy who he wants. It’s a talented player in a position of need.
 
Gotta be honest, don't get the fascination EtH clearly has with Antony. That's a Pogba from Juve fee, and I certainly can't see that level of quality.

We need an attacker for sure, but if that giant fee was split into signing plus enormous wages for a more established star it feels less of a risk to me.
 
Gotta be honest, don't get the fascination EtH clearly has with Antony. That's a Pogba from Juve fee, and I certainly can't see that level of quality.

We need an attacker for sure, but if that giant fee was split into signing plus enormous wages for a more established star it feels less of a risk to me.

There's no question that Pogba is, and was at the same age, more talented than Antony, but what if Antony has more heart? Pogba fell apart at OT for any number of reasons, but he fell apart and for that and other reasons we were middling at best when Pogba played. But if Antony has 75% the quality but 200% the heart I'd have no problem with a Pogba/Juve fee for Antony.
 
With a different manager, Martinez, Antony, Gravenberch.

If past performance is an indicator of future success then United will win the treble this year.

When United lost SAF and Scholes and got Moyes we didn't go back and walk the league

Ajax will be fine.
 
Gotta be honest, don't get the fascination EtH clearly has with Antony. That's a Pogba from Juve fee, and I certainly can't see that level of quality.

We need an attacker for sure, but if that giant fee was split into signing plus enormous wages for a more established star it feels less of a risk to me.
I see the fascination. He is quite probably going to be one of the big names for the next decade. He has everything, amazing technique and also skills, he is brave, works hard and has that bit of magic about him. Still learning and gaining experience but I am pretty sure he will be a special player for whichever big team buys him, same sort of impact as Mane. I really hope we dont miss out on him the way we missed out on Mane.
 
Seriously, the only entity against whom I'm mad in this entire saga here is Chelsea. Is the new Chelsea DOF really expecting to get a full refund of the Hakim Ziyech transfer when Timo Werner's return to Leipzig only gave them over half of the original transfer fee? He's on crack if he hopes to receive anything more than 25 million euros for Ziyech.
 
I see the fascination. He is quite probably going to be one of the big names for the next decade. He has everything, amazing technique and also skills, he is brave, works hard and has that bit of magic about him. Still learning and gaining experience but I am pretty sure he will be a special player for whichever big team buys him, same sort of impact as Mane. I really hope we dont miss out on him the way we missed out on Mane.
There are number of young players with huge talent over the years who didn’t quite manage make it up to the very top in the end. Hence it’s always risky to sign young talents on enormous fee based on potential alone.

Examples off the top of my head:

- Denilson
- Juninho
- Quaresma
- Pato
- Anderson
- Asensio
- Januzaj
 
Antony's statistics should be recalibrated for Champions League football, if he is going to be derided for playing in the Eredivisie. Those statistics should probably be adjusted for time played and set piece goals as well (as Antony is not the regular penalty taker for Ajax, whereas Richarlison scored 3 penalty goals last season for Everton (twice vs. Burnley and once vs. Brentford)).
  • Richarlison in 2020—21: 13 goals and 3 assists in ~3350 minutes (257 minutes per goal and 1116 minutes per assist)
  • Richarlison in 2021—22: 11 goals and 5 assists in ~2750 minutes (250 minutes per goal and 550 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2020—21: 10 goals and 10 assists in ~2870 minutes (287 minutes per goal and 287 minutes per assist)
  • Antony in 2021—22: 12 goals and 10 assists in ~2535 minutes (211 minutes per goal and 254 minutes per assist)
For what it's worth, Richarlison is a good player who is fully acclimatized to the Premier League. And Antony is definitely over-priced, no doubt about it. And the same-ish statistics (at surface level) can be used to tell different stories. But there are zero (or very few) top-class right wingers or potentially top-class right wingers (not right forwards or strikers operating out wide) who are available and exceed his capabilities (or potential capabilities) as a flank-hugging winger in ten Hag's system. If Ajax won't let him go for a smaller fee, United will have to overpay and hope that he proves to be a good investment in the medium to long term — he has the talent to do so and has improved every season; whether thay translates to the Premier League is anyone's guess at this point in time. :)

Frankly, fee is the least of the concern since it comes out of Glazer's pockets. If we see a player as improving us substantially, we should go for him. Antony falls under that category.
 
Frankly, fee is the least of the concern since it comes out of Glazer's pockets. If we see a player as improving us substantially, we should go for him. Antony falls under that category.

it doesn’t come out of their pockets

it never has and never will
 
Frankly, fee is the least of the concern since it comes out of Glazer's pockets. If we see a player as improving us substantially, we should go for him. Antony falls under that category.
It will /was not come from Glazer pockets, Manutd brand earning will pay own transfer fee, own salary and Tampa Bay Buccaneers salary
 
God he's some proper alien head looking mofo ain't he?
He carries a certain resemblance to Squidward of Spongebob fame.

Annoy-Squidward-Day-640x514.jpg
 
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