Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has claimed that Brazil international forward Antony is not good enough to play for the Red Devils.
The 23-year-old moved to the Old Trafford club from Ajax for £85 million in 2022 and ended his debut season with eight goals and four assists in 44 games across all competitions.
However, the winger has struggled to impress this term, with zero goals and assists in 17 appearances, and Stam is not convinced that he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.
“Antony, I don’t think from what I have seen from him and how he is, he is not good enough for this level that we are looking for at United,” the Man United legend said on The Overlap (at 47:50).
“Because you are also looking for a player that when he comes in, he can struggle, he can have a difficult time, but you are still looking at a player who can make progress and can eventually get to that level.
“When you are looking at Antony now at this moment, you don’t really see where he can make the progress to make that next step to the Premier League or to be up there with the top wingers to make a difference.
“In Holland, he did okay. He was not the best player but he did okay, but then again, you are playing in a league of a couple of good players and the rest of them are mediocre players.
“At this level, you need to make the right choice, bring in the players that can make the difference. Oh yeah, I was (surprised by the fee).”
Antony has not lived up to expectations and manager Erik ten Hag will be disappointed that their reunion has not gone as planned.
The winger was not very prolific at his former clubs, notching 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 games at Ajax and ending his spell with Sao Paulo with four goals and six assists in 52 appearances.
Antony has scored eight goals and assisted another three in 61 games since moving to Man United, which is simply not good enough for someone who cost that much.
The Red Devils need better finishers and creators if they want to start winning the Premier League and Champions League again, and the Brazilian does not fit the bill.
Getting half the fee they spent on him will be difficult, and signing him for £85m is a decision the Man United board will forever regret.
