Erik ten Hag wants to bring Ajax star Antony with him to Manchester United should he eventually win the race to be named the club’s new permanent manager, according to reports.
United’s hierarchy have been conducting a thorough search for a successor to Ralf Rangnick and interviewed Ten Hag last week, with the Dutchman now the frontrunner to take over the reins at Old Trafford.
He still faces huge competition from the likes of PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Spain manager Luis Enrique, but he made a big impression on the club in his formal interview.
During the talks, Ten Hag is believed to have asked about the club’s vision and transfer budget – and he appears to know the first player he wants to sign for the club.
According to The Telegraph, he is very keen to bring Brazil international Anthony with him to Old Trafford, with the 22-year-old having impressed under Ten Hag’s guidance at Ajax.
Antony has netted 10 goals and provided 8 assists in 30 games across both the Eredivisie and Champions League this campaign after also registering 17 goal contributions in the league last season.
His displays since swapping Sao Paulo for Amsterdam have earned him plenty of admirers and he has been linked with the clubs like Barcelona in the past, while he has so far received eight caps for Brazil and won gold at the 2020 Olympics.
There is believed to be an enormous amount of interest in Antony, but the prospect of sticking with Ten Hag is something that could play a huge factor in determining his next move.
Despite signing Jadon Sancho last summer to play on the right, there is a feeling at United that his best position is on the left and, as such, the club are believed to want a new right winger – and Antony ticks all the boxes.
But, even if Ten Hag is not given the Red devils job, the Dutchman still wants to sign Antony at whichever club he does join.
In addition to a new right winger, United’s hierarchy also feel they require two new midfielders – one more defence-orientated and the other one more attack-minded – as well as a striker.
