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

[Eplel]

I hope he's added in FPL in time, cause I really believe he's the right player to start against Arsenal and bag a couple goals

 

[largelyworried]

Who else are we going to spend it on though?

And if he does well he could be the difference between 4th and 5th, at which point any overpayment will pale into insignificance.

At this point late in the window there is no one else, that doesn't mean it's good planning from the club and we should be relaxed about it. This continual bad planning is why we're spunking up money summer after summer trying to put out fires instead of carefully building.

As for finishing 4th vs 5th, that's just speculation. Who's to say a lack of squad depth doesn't turn out to be the issue? All we can say for sure is that the manager has identified several areas to improve, and investing more in one area means we have less in another.

There is absolutely no proof that saving £10/£15/£20 million on this transfer would then see us spend that exact amount on another player. Its clear that budgets aren’t finite but I also think that Football manager-cation of club finances isn’t the correct way to look at things either, EtH wouldn’t have received an email his first day in the job with a toggle between wages & transfer budget.

We weren’t getting Antony for anything less so worrying about the knock on effects of an uncertain future makes little sense.

I'd have thought it obvious that my '£20M difference on a full back' was an example to illustrate a point about budgets, not something to be taken literally. Yes, budgets are indeed somewhat flexible depending on stuff like sales, payment schedules and salaries etc. However what is also true is that there is an ultimate ceiling on spend, it is not infinite. Therefore, however that calculation takes places, spending that budget in one area necessitates spending less in another area.

 

[lonelyred]

He's going to be battered fouled a lot (and get no protection from refs, never mind media).

 

[phelans shorts]

Considering what Neymar has achieved on and off the field for PSG since then, how much has he really been worth?

His record when he is available has been very good, to be honest I’d say all football fees have lost all grounding in reality and I can’t really quantify any of them, so I don’t even bother trying.

 

[Shakesy]

I hope he's added in FPL in time, cause I really believe he's the right player to start against Arsenal and bag a couple goals

I don't think he'll be a starter... He's effectively been on strike.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

God I hope he gets off bench against you

but it was a fact, isn't it?

 

[Enigma_87]

Vinicius Jr is up there as well, only 22.

He's not there IMO. Had one great season, but is too inconsistent.

 

[shamans]

Don't look at him only by his goals. As a reminder these are Ronaldo's first three seasons at United:

2005/2006	Manchester United	Apps 33 (0)	Goals 9
2004/2005	Manchester United	33 (0)	5
2003/2004	Manchester United	29 (0)	4

Nobody expected that skinny kid to be a world beater. But one thing was clear since the beginning, he was super talented and could get past defenders with ease.

Let's not compare him to all time greats, and also Ronaldo was 18-20 in those seasons and playing for arguably the biggest club in the world.

That said, he's an exciting talent and not everyone has the same trajectory. We have an exciting Brazilian on our hands!

 

[hellhunter]

He's not there IMO. Had one great season, but is too inconsistent.

Compared to Antony he is, though

 

[croadyman]

but it was a fact, isn't it?

Maybe so but really hope you eat those words

 

[mu4c_20le]

One thing I know for sure is Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelena fought for Raphinha's signature in the beginning of the window, and these clubs showed no interest in Antony.

Liverpool and Barca were interested back in march. Presumably barca went with rapha as they were easier to deal with, plus proven in a better league. There was interest but Ajax never wanted to sell.

 

[tenpoless]

Since that post gets quoted a lot: I am not comparing him to Ronaldo one to one or expecting him to be a generational talent. My point is never to write off talented players too early. That Ronaldo stats is to show you if there are more to players development and talent than just being a goal scoring machine since a young age like Haaland. And Yes I consider 22-25 still young for a footballer. See also: Robben.

 

[NewYorkRed]

I’m actually not too concerned about his stats. They don’t paint the full picture, especially for players like him. Big worry would be adjusting to the pace and esp physicality of the league. Hope he overcomes both because he is a proper exciting player.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

Maybe so but really hope you eat those words

I understand the excitement of Man Utd fans but I don't think I offend anyone by stating the fact that these 3 clubs tried to sign Raphinha' instead of Antony in the beginning of the window, for whatever reason that I don't know.

 

[Acrobat7]

Off topic here, but Ribery was wayyyy inferior to Robben

Robben > Ribery but only one ">"

 

[Enigma_87]

Compared to Antony he is, though

Naturally, but that can change. He's not that far ahead or let's say if Antony fulfill his potential he can get there. Vini Jr. has already 4 seasons under his belt playing for Real and he really kicked it in last season, whilst you can say he was a bit underwhelming in the first three.

 

[Remember the geese]

I understand the excitement of Man Utd fans but I don't think I offend anyone by stating the fact that these 3 clubs tried to sign Raphinha' instead of Antony in the beginning of the window, for whatever reason that I don't know.

It's most likely because Antony was dead set on United.

 

[mu4c_20le]

I understand the excitement of Man Utd fans but I don't think I offend anyone by stating the fact that these 3 clubs tried to sign Raphinha' instead of Antony in the beginning of the window, for whatever reason that I don't know.

I told you the reason, Ajax wanted more money for him because they didn't want to sell.

 

[cyberman]

One thing I know for sure is Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelena fought for Raphinha's signature in the beginning of the window, and these clubs showed no interest in Antony.

What a terrible way to judge a transfer. Pretty sure it’s been Utd since ETH took over at United anyway.
We don’t hear about the average enquiry and swift rebuttal. Do we think Casemiro didn’t have other suitors as soon as it was clear he was leaving?

 

[croadyman]

It's most likely because Antony was dead set on United.

God that is music to my ears

 

[2cents]

Apologies if it's been discussed already, but is there any possibility of having him ready for Thursday?

 

[FatTails]

One thing I know for sure is Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelena fought for Raphinha's signature in the beginning of the window, and these clubs showed no interest in Antony.

It really doesn't matter. Even assuming Raphinha is actually "better", Antony might be a better fit for our team and what it needs right now. Football fans argue a lot about which player is better and throw stats at each other, but it is not that simple. Different players fit differently, and affect the team dynamics on the pitch in different ways. It's not an individual sport

 

[red_de_pologne]

Apologies if it's been discussed already, but is there any possibility of having him ready for Thursday?

almost certainly he won't feature, common view is he'll be on the bench for Arse

 

[croadyman]

Apologies if it's been discussed already, but is there any possibility of having him ready for Thursday?

Stone thinks unlikely due to visa

 

[December_16]

Apologies if it's been discussed already, but is there any possibility of having him ready for Thursday?

Hard to tell because no one here knows. I’d err on the side of thinking no, Sunday would be the earliest.

 

[Loony BoB]

One thing I know for sure is Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelena fought for Raphinha's signature in the beginning of the window, and these clubs showed no interest in Antony.

He had already chosen his destination well before the window opened, by his own account.

 

[Suv666]

One thing I know for sure is Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelena fought for Raphinha's signature in the beginning of the window, and these clubs showed no interest in Antony.

Weird metric to judge a transfer.

City were the only club interested in KDB back in the day.

A transfer war between clubs means feck all many hard fought for players turned out to be shit.

 

[Remember the geese]

God that is music to my ears

It was terrific to see a player so such a desire to join us.

 

[Fortitude]

Puma.

Wonder if they have room two; Neymar is their figurehead so it will be interesting to see what they do with someone who has been catapulted into a global spotlight like this.

 

[2cents]

almost certainly he won't feature, common view is he'll be on the bench for Arse

Stone thinks unlikely due to visa

Hard to tell because no one here knows. I’d err on the side of thinking no, Sunday would be the earliest.

Ok thanks, Arsenal looking more likely.

 

[RedPed]

Apologies if it's been discussed already, but is there any possibility of having him ready for Thursday?

Feck that, we need him for Sunday.

 

[Massive Spanner]

Feck that, we need him for Sunday.

Thursday comes before Sunday.

 

[RedPed]

Thursday comes before Sunday.

We have enough to see off Leicester already.

 

[bond19821982]

One thing I know for sure is Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelena fought for Raphinha's signature in the beginning of the window, and these clubs showed no interest in Antony.

Such an pointless comparison. I understand the reservation about spending 100m but this is a new level to be honest.

Raphinha agreed personal terms with Barca back in Jan. Chelsea came only when Barca couldn't make a decision. Arsenal were never with in a shout. Means, Leeds already knew he was leaving and set a price of 60m.

Ajax never wanted to sell him this year after 4 departures. The price was always 70m + given Sao Polo is also owed a certain %. Antony's preference was ETH and he stated it back in May/June.

Don't confuse United incompetence with actual facts.

 

[VivaRonaldo85]

Is he a right side left footed player? If so, does that move Sancho over to the left and benches Rashford?

 

[Remember the geese]

Is he a right side left footed player? If so, does that move Sancho over to the left and benches Rashford?

Yes to everything you've just said.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Is he a right side left footed player? If so, does that move Sancho over to the left and benches Rashford?

Yes and yes.

 

[suhaylah]

Is he a right side left footed player? If so, does that move Sancho over to the left and benches Rashford?

Yes. Rashford maybe will play upfront as striker when Martial not fit.

 

[pocco]

We have enough to see off Leicester already.

He'd have been more ready for Sunday if he played Thursday.

 

[DJ_21]

Think he’ll be worth the money more then grealish was for city. Grealish only cost what he did because he’s English and city have always been desperate for English players. Antony is not only younger but I think he’ll contribute a lot more in the final 3rd. We’ve always been about tricky and speedy wingers at old Trafford. Players who’ll get fans of the seats and this guy is one of them.