The powerful feud against Darwin Nunez and Antony may be refuelled as Manchester United finally made a purchase of the Brazilian superstar who is ready to get back in the Premier League. The player cost United a whopping £85 million.
However, the story of Antony and Darwin began in February 2022, where Ajax and Benfica were playing against each other in the Champions League. Since then the two South American football legends have been at it against one another.
The 22-year-old Antony has been keen on expressing his thoughts, especially the dream of playing for Manchester United. He openly criticised Ajax for hindering the process as he is their prized winger. He has had a reputation of being vocal and hot headed, which led him into getting a little trouble.
His reputation precedes him and recently he unlocked a feud with Darwin. He is confirmed to be Manchester United’s fifth transfer this season after Lisandro Martinez, his former teammate in Ajax, Casemiro, Malacia and Eriksen.
Now with Antony’s arrival at United’s home ground, Old Trafford, it is expected for him to help boost the club in this Premier League season. He initially joined Ajax in 2020, and since then the winger has scored 25 goals and 22 assists in his 82 appearance.
Looking back at the Antony vs Darwin feud, the last 16 first-leg match in the 2021 Champions League Antony tangled with Darwin, who at the time was a new striker for Liverpool. The pair squabbled for the ball in Lisbon during the second half of the match, and Darwin collapses to the ground after receiving a head push from Antony.
In the end, the match was a 2-2 tie. Weirdly, just last week, Ajax rejected Manchester United’s £72.3 million offer as they’d seen Antony as a valuable asset for them. Talks between his representative and the clubs apparently began last Friday.
It is shocking that Manchester United was willing to add another £12 million for the winger. Now with a player of Ajax out, and another is going as well, the Dutch champions decided to let go Antony for more.
United’s manager Ten Hag said “We need players but we need the right players,”
“The whole transfer window, we are happy with what we did until now, but the bar has to be high.”
“The spirit was already good but now it is even better,” added Ten Hag. “But it’s only one game so we have to build further, we have to develop and I think everyone is aware of that.”