The Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly not planning to release Antony in January 2024 as he is still needed by Erik ten Hag.
Antony was acquired at a high cost from Ajax Amsterdam in the summer of 2022, with Manchester United spending up to £82 million to bring him to Old Trafford.
Antony was expected to sharpen United’s attacking line alongside Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. However, the Brazilian player did not perform up to expectations and became involved in off-field controversies, facing criticism from both media and MU fans.
His future became uncertain, especially with rumors of interest from the Brazilian club Flamengo. There were reports that Flamengo intended to bring the 23-year-old winger on loan in January 2024.
Manchester United was also rumored to be ready to let go of Antony, as his transfer could facilitate the arrival of Gabriel Barbosa at Old Trafford.
However, the latest development indicates that Antony is set to stay at Manchester United in January 2024. The club reportedly has no intention of letting him go, as Erik ten Hag still has confidence in him, and his contribution is crucial, considering Manchester United is actively participating in three competitions, including the FA Cup.
Furthermore, Manchester United cannot afford to lose another winger, especially since Jadon Sancho has been excluded from the squad due to a dispute with Erik ten Hag.
Match: Everton vs. Manchester United
Stadium: Goodison Park
Date: Sunday, November 26, 2023
Kickoff: 23:30 WIB
In other news, the English Premier League club Manchester United is said to be monitoring AS Roma player Gianluca Mancini as a potential successor to Harry Maguire in the 2024 transfer window.
Manchester United seems determined to part ways with Harry Maguire in January, with increasing interest in central defenders. According to Romanista, the Red Devils are exploring the possibility of signing AS Roma’s key defender Gianluca Mancini, known for his contributions in both defense and attack, having scored 9 goals and provided 8 assists during his time with Roma.
Roma, currently facing challenges in Serie A, is believed to be open to releasing the 27-year-old player in January for a proposed fee of around 30-35 million euros.
Manchester United plans to pair Gianluca Mancini with either Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez in Erik ten Hag’s defensive lineup, indicating that Harry Maguire may no longer have a place in the team.
However, as of now, Manchester United has not taken any steps to approach Mancini, but there is a possibility of a successful acquisition considering the financial strength of the club compared to Roma.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly close to acquiring a 25% stake in Manchester United. He is expected to have a direct impact on the club’s quality, including player recruitment. Four players, including Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Anthony Martial, and Antony, are said to be potential casualties of Ratcliffe’s arrival.
While Sancho has not made a decision on his destination after leaving Manchester United, Casemiro’s season has been hindered by injuries, making his departure a possibility. Anthony Martial and Antony have also struggled to make significant contributions this season, making them candidates for departure.
With the sale of these four players, Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes Manchester United can find more suitable replacements in the transfer market to regain competitiveness in all competitions.
The Glazer family, owners of Manchester United from the United States, is nearing a deal with Jim Ratcliffe to sell a 25% stake in the club for $33 per share. This move would see the British billionaire acquire a quarter of the shares of the English football club, with a reported premium of 79.1% over the closing stock price on Thursday. The Glazers purchased Manchester United for £790 million in 2005 and currently control 96% of the shares. The potential deal with Ratcliffe could inject new investment into the club, providing options for its future, including new investments or a potential sale.
Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag is pleased with the performance of Harry Maguire after Bruno Fernandes took over the captain’s armband at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season. Despite initially losing his starting spot to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Maguire showcased improvement in his performance as both defenders suffered injuries. Ten Hag praised Maguire for playing the way the team desires, being proactive in ball control, dominating opponents, intervening when necessary, reading the game well, and providing good transitional passes. Maguire’s professionalism remained evident after losing the captaincy, and he expressed satisfaction with his current form and commitment to Manchester United.
