Erik ten Hag could be about to uncover his dream Manchester United front-three
Antony may not have had the ideal individual performance he was hoping for, but he has shown glimpses of his talent.
Although the Brazilian forward has occasionally demonstrated why his club was so eager to bring him to Old Trafford, he needs to consistently deliver.
Erik ten Hag considered him a top priority target for attack last summer, and after Manchester United’s disappointing losses to Brighton and Brentford, it was evident that they needed reinforcements.
It wasn’t surprising when Antony eventually joined Old Trafford, but it did come at a cost of £85.5 million after United’s earlier offers were turned down by Ajax.
The Brazilian’s eagerness to join Manchester United was well-received by the club’s leaders, and he had a fantastic start with the Reds, scoring in his first three Premier League matches. Unfortunately, he hasn’t scored in the league since his goal against Everton in October, and he hasn’t been able to provide any assists either.
However, he has made significant contributions in cup competitions, netting a total of four goals in the FA Cup, Europa League, and Carabao Cup.
In the Europa League games against Barcelona and Real Betis, Antony scored two memorable goals that exemplified his style of play.
Both goals were struck with his left foot from the right wing and left the opposing goalkeeper with no chance to save them. These goals demonstrated precisely why Manchester United wanted him on their team.
Antony’s performance has significantly improved after his recovery from a leg injury that kept him out of action for four games. He particularly shone in the play-off win over Barcelona and the first-leg triumph over Betis in Europe, showcasing some of his best performances in recent months.
Manchester United’s strikers have struggled to score goals this season, putting intense pressure on Antony and his fellow attackers.
The upcoming season could be more comfortable for Antony and his teammates, as Manchester United is expected to sign a new striker at the end of the campaign.
According to MEN Sport, Harry Kane is Ten Hag’s primary target to strengthen the United attack in the summer. Sources suggest that the club is determined to sign the Tottenham Hotspur star as he enters the final year of his contract.
Given that Manchester United is the only realistic Premier League club that Kane could join, he might be tempted to make a move to the Reds.
Bayern Munich is also expected to be in the market for a striker, and they could potentially make a move for Harry Kane in the summer.
However, Kane is determined to become the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, and Tottenham’s lack of silverware for 15 consecutive seasons may push him to remain in England.
Securing the services of Kane, who has won three Premier League Golden Boots, would be a challenging task.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has a history of refusing to sell the club’s most sought-after players to domestic rivals. Nevertheless, with Kane’s contract set to expire at the end of next season, this summer could be a crucial one for Tottenham. It could either see them keep hold of their star player or lose him to a domestic or foreign club.
Marcus Rashford has been one of the top-performing English players in the Premier League this season, with only Harry Kane and Ivan Toney scoring more goals than him.
However, Rashford has a better record in all competitions than Kane, having scored 26 goals and provided nine assists in 41 appearances this season. Only Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have scored more goals than Rashford this season.
Although Rashford has played well as a central striker, he seems to perform better on the left wing. If someone like Kane were to arrive at Old Trafford in the summer, Rashford could concentrate on providing assists from the flank.
It’s evident that something needs to change ahead of the next season, considering that Bruno Fernandes is the next-highest scorer for Manchester United with just eight goals.
The addition of a striker, regardless of whether it is Harry Kane or someone else, would be a massive boost for Manchester United. It would not only benefit Marcus Rashford on the left but also the right-winger, which could be Jadon Sancho or Antony.
Antony will be hoping to contribute more in front of goal, which could help him cement his place as the first-choice right-winger. As Ten Hag’s signing, Antony arguably has an advantage over Sancho.
If the Brazilian can find his form in the latter stages of this season, he is likely to be the preferred option for the start of next season.
It is possible that Erik ten Hag may not be able to secure his top choices for a striker in the summer transfer window, but he is expected to make a signing in that position. With Marcus Rashford on the left and a new striker in the middle, Antony will be keen to establish himself as the first-choice right-winger for Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag could be about to uncover his dream Manchester United front-three
