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Despite shedding 14 first team players this summer, it would appear Manchester United are not done yet.
Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Willy Kambwala, Hannibal, Facu Pellistri, Alvaro Carreras, Donny van de Beek, Omari Forson and Brandon Williams were all sold or released, with Sofyan Amrabat returning to Fiorentina after his loan and Jadon Sancho going out to Chelsea on a loan with obligatory purchase.
Recent reports have claimed that the Red Devils will also attempt to move on Harry Maguire and Casemiro in January and now a new name can be added to the list.
According to CaughtOffside, “United have decided to let Antony go in the upcoming January transfer window, with the Brazilian winger being eyed up by his former club Ajax, as well as by Premier League duo Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.”
Like Casemiro, whose astronomical £350,000 per week wages make him difficult to move on, Antony will not be an easy sell.
His own wages of £200,000 per week exceed most clubs’ budgets and as things stand, United would stand to make a huge loss on the €95 million they paid Ajax for him in 2022.
For this reason, CaughtOffside claim that “a loan seems more likely than a sale for now, with United aware that clubs might not be willing to come straight in with a permanent offer for the player after his poor form and lack of regular minutes in recent times.”
The outlet believes that a return to Ajax to re-find his form might be the most plausible option, but the Magpies and Eagles are both circling as both clubs want to strengthen their attacks, leaving the door open to a stay in the Premier League.
With Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo all capable of playing on both wings, Antony is probably one of the more expendable members of Erik ten Hag’s trim squad. But if any of those three pick up an injury, with Sancho, Greenwood, Pellistri and Forson already gone there is not much cover.
It could be that new teenage signings Samuel Lusale and Chido Obi-Martin are promoted to the first team squad, the former in particular being a two-footed winger who could potentially play a part from the bench in the latter part of the season.
There was a chink of sunlight for the beleaguered Brazilian as manager Erik ten Hag brought him on as substitute against Aston Villa while leaving Amad on the bench. Whether that means he is working his way up the pecking order or was simply a tactical decision remains to be seen.
If indeed United do manage to move all three players on in the new year, it will leave Ten Hag’s squad extremely threadbare going into the second half of a season with more games than ever due to the expanded format of the Europa League.
Salaries from Capology.com.
Feature image Paul Ellis via Getty Images
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