Sir Jim Ratcliffe has openly criticized Manchester United’s expensive signing of Brazilian winger Antony, calling into question the player’s abilities. In a blunt assessment, Ratcliffe reportedly said, “We can no longer overlook his lack of skill. He plays as if he doesn’t understand the game.
Without a doubt, Antony is the worst signing in Manchester United’s history. He will stay benched until we figure out how to offload him.” This harsh evaluation comes as the club prepares to sell the underperforming player to a Serie A team for a much lower price in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to a report from the *Daily Mail*, Manchester United is willing to let Antony go for just £40 million, which is less than half of the £86 million they paid to Ajax for his services in the summer of 2022.
Despite the huge investment, Antony has struggled to make a significant impact since arriving at Old Trafford, with his performances consistently falling short of expectations. His limited opportunities on the field have been marked by underwhelming displays, prompting growing frustration from the club, fans, and pundits alike.
The winger’s ongoing struggles have drawn widespread criticism, and it seems that the club’s patience has worn thin. With Antony continuing to perform below par, United is now exploring options to offload him.
Reports suggest that the club may reinvest the proceeds from his sale into new signings, potentially targeting players like Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze to strengthen the squad.
This season, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side has faced numerous difficulties, and their league position reflects that. After ten matches across all competitions, United sits in a disappointing 14th place, having secured only three wins.
The team’s problems have been apparent both in defense and attack, and Antony’s lackluster form has seen him drop down the pecking order. Younger players, such as Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, have been given more opportunities on the right wing, leaving Antony further sidelined.
As January approaches, the club is evaluating whether Antony’s departure will be in the form of a loan or a permanent transfer. A loan move might give the player a chance to regain some value ahead of a potential sale in the summer of 2025, while a permanent transfer would see United cut ties with him more definitively.
Antony’s statistics paint a grim picture. In 86 appearances for Manchester United, he has only managed to score 12 goals and provide five assists, a return far below what was expected given the significant transfer fee the club paid for him.
As speculation mounts about his future, a move away from Old Trafford could provide Antony with a fresh start and the opportunity to revive his career, either at Ajax or another club. Meanwhile, Manchester United hopes to refocus its efforts on rebuilding and reinvesting in areas that will offer more immediate improvements to a struggling squad.
