Antony | Here we go! €100mill, contract until June 2027, option 'til 2028.

[Rozay]

I suppose we are waiting to see how he recovers before we spend 50m+ on a guy that might not even be the same player.

Probably best to wait and see how he's running before you stump that sort of cash up.

I mean, he’ll have to do a medical, no?

 

[Quagmire Maguire]

Massive upgrade on Rashford would walk straight into the United team and make that RW his own.

Yes he is rough around the edges but has pace to burn, tricky as he can go past you both on the outside or inside, also only 22 so plenty of potential.

Ten Hag has seen enough in training to think this is a worthwhile signing, so I am all for it.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I mean, he’ll have to do a medical, no?

Can you do a medical if you can't run? I have no idea. Maybe that's what we are waiting for.

 

[Rozay]

You must be joking right? United is barely a step up in terms of quality(which most of you must agree with since at least 5 players of the starting XI are deemed to be an upgrade, before Mazraoui and Gravenberch went to Ajax). Why would Ajax want a player that isn't anywhere good enough for United

You must have bumped your head sir.

 

[Rozay]

Can you do a medical if you can't run? I have no idea. Maybe that's what we are waiting for.

Yep, don’t see why not. Although not the most ideal of course.

 

[Terranova]

You must have bumped your head sir.

Not really? I think most people agree that the United squad isn't that good anymore. There are a few excellent players like Ronaldo and Bruno, but the likes of McTominay and AWB would struggle to get gametime at Ajax.
Might be a bit hard to hear. But United isn't where it should be and Ajax is far ahead of were they should be. Not that big of a difference. Of course the Premier League and PL money make United a big step up, but on quality? Not so much

 

[Becks00]

You must be joking right? United is barely a step up in terms of quality(which most of you must agree with since at least 5 players of the starting XI are deemed to be an upgrade, before Mazraoui and Gravenberch went to Ajax). Why would Ajax want a player that isn't anywhere good enough for United

Wow United is barely a step up in terms of quality to Ajax. Please do name the 5 players that would be deemed as upgrade.

I would have a go starting from Antony who is very exciting but as of now isn't a clear upgrade on either of Sancho/Rashford, Gravenberch is certainly no better upgrade to Pogba, Alvarez is no upgrade to McFred, Tadic is no upgrade to Sancho, Haller is definitely no upgrade to Ronaldo, Timber is no upgrade to Varane, Klassen is definitely no upgrade to Bruno, Onana/any keeper is no upgrade to De gea, Blind for me is no upgrade to Shaw. The only two who have an argument are Mazaroui and Martinez. Mazaroui is clearly an upgrade on whatever we have at RB but Martinez I wouldn't claim is a clear upgrade on Maguire either.

 

[FujiVice]

Not really? I think most people agree that the United squad isn't that good anymore. There are a few excellent players like Ronaldo and Bruno, but the likes of McTominay and AWB would struggle to get gametime at Ajax.
Might be a bit hard to hear. But United isn't where it should be and Ajax is far ahead of were they should be. Not that big of a difference. Of course the Premier League and PL money make United a big step up, but on quality? Not so much

I dont see how anyone who saw the mess United were in last year could argue this to be honest.

 

[Laurencio]

Can you do a medical if you can't run? I have no idea. Maybe that's what we are waiting for.

Pretty sure you can't do a full medical if the guy can't run, you could always ignore the medical and do the deal anyway, but that would probably make it difficult in terms of insurance.

 

[Rozay]

Not really? I think most people agree that the United squad isn't that good anymore. There are a few excellent players like Ronaldo and Bruno, but the likes of McTominay and AWB would struggle to get gametime at Ajax.
Might be a bit hard to hear. But United isn't where it should be and Ajax is far ahead of were they should be. Not that big of a difference. Of course the Premier League and PL money make United a big step up, but on quality? Not so much

Despite running away with the Dutch league, most Ajax players would not get in our team. They may have had a better season domestically, but most United players would walk into the Ajax team as they are individually better. Literally every single Ajax player we have been linked with has come with numerous conversations and plenty of question marks as to whether they would actually improve us or be good enough for this level. Dusan Tadic is your star player, don’t delude yourself. Rashford, Sancho, Martial, Ronaldo, Fernandes, Fred, Shaw, Varane, Lindelöf, De Gea off the top of my head would all get into your first team. So would Maguire playing in that environment too.

Ajax just won a league where you would struggle to name 5 players outside of their club that would be good enough to play for United, let alone improve it.

 

[Reapersoul20]

Wow United is barely a step up in terms of quality to Ajax. Please do name the 5 players that would be deemed as upgrade.

I would have a go starting from Antony who is very exciting but as of now isn't a clear upgrade on either of Sancho/Rashford, Gravenberch is certainly no better upgrade to Pogba, Alvarez is no upgrade to McFred, Tadic is no upgrade to Sancho, Haller is definitely no upgrade to Ronaldo, Timber is no upgrade to Varane, Klassen is definitely no upgrade to Bruno, Onana/any keeper is no upgrade to De gea, Blind for me is no upgrade to Shaw. The only two who have an argument are Mazaroui and Martinez. Mazaroui is clearly an upgrade on whatever we have at RB but Martinez I wouldn't claim is a clear upgrade on Maguire either.

I mean I am all for defending the players, but this is very much delusion/red-tinted spectacles. Probably 8 or 9 Ajax players would have started for Man Utd last season. Comfortably, too.

 

[Becks00]

I dont see how anyone who saw the mess United were in last year could argue this to be honest.

Are you for real? There are too many disrespect when it comes to Man utd players on this forum nowadays. As much as I despise the kind of football they put forward last season, saying they are no upgrade to Ajax players is definitely stretching it a bit.

 

[Zippycup]

Not really? I think most people agree that the United squad isn't that good anymore. There are a few excellent players like Ronaldo and Bruno, but the likes of McTominay and AWB would struggle to get gametime at Ajax.
Might be a bit hard to hear. But United isn't where it should be and Ajax is far ahead of were they should be. Not that big of a difference. Of course the Premier League and PL money make United a big step up, but on quality? Not so much

I see your point but I have to disagree.

We had a shocking season but in the grand scheme of things our squad isn’t in too bad a shape. It just needs a confidence boost and a management structure that puts team performance ahead of players ego. I actually thought we were on the right path during the 20/21 season but things quickly turned sour. Many things contributed to that, most notably would be the changing room unrest and the team being clacking any sort of confidence, both as a team and as individuals.

Our biggest coup so far in the transfer window hasn’t been players coming in but players going out. For me, that’s been just as important.

 

[Becks00]

I mean I am all for defending the players, but this is very much delusion/red-tinted spectacles. Probably 8 or 9 Ajax players would have started for Man Utd last season. Comfortably, too.

Please name them

 

[Rozay]

I mean I am all for defending the players, but this is very much delusion/red-tinted spectacles. Probably 8 or 9 Ajax players would have started for Man Utd last season. Comfortably, too.

What you mean is 8 or 9 players had better seasons than their United counterparts. They certainly don’t have 8 or 9 players better than United players. Not even close.

Or is it Haller who can’t hit a barn door in the PL but scores buckets in Holland that is better than ours?

 

[Dannn411]

£50m is already too much. £69m is laughable. Just move on. Anybody else bids £50m and Ajax cave in immediately. .

 

[UpWithRivers]

What you mean is 8 or 9 players had better seasons than their United counterparts. They certainly don’t have 8 or 9 players better than United players. Not even close.

Or is it Haller who can’t hit a barn door in the PL but scores buckets in Holland that is better than ours?

Exactly this. 8-9 Fulham players had a better season than United players. Doesnt make them better players. We were just sht last year.

 

[2 man midfield]

Is he a system player or what? His stats, in the same Dutch league that Memphis Depay was dunking on, aren’t all that great but we’re apparently about to be shaken down for 70m quid. 8 goals and 4 assists, was it?

That said I like the idea of signing a right winger and moving Rashford back up front.

 

[Strootman's Finger]

Despite running away with the Dutch league, most Ajax players would not get in our team. They may have had a better season domestically, but most United players would walk into the Ajax team as they are individually better. Literally every single Ajax player we have been linked with has come with numerous conversations and plenty of question marks as to whether they would actually improve us or be good enough for this level. Dusan Tadic is your star player, don’t delude yourself. Rashford, Sancho, Martial, Ronaldo, Fernandes, Fred, Shaw, Varane, Lindelöf, De Gea off the top of my head would all get into your first team. So would Maguire playing in that environment too.

Ajax just won a league where you would struggle to name 5 players outside of their club that would be good enough to play for United, let alone improve it.

Half of Europe is trying to buy up the whole Ajax team, which United player are European clubs queuing up for?

 

[Telsim]

€60 million is more than enough for him. A bit much, but we have a good relationship with Ajax, so it's fine. That's the maximum I'd pay though. I don't think they'd agree however, he is integral to their team and they've already lost and probably will lose more players by the end of this window.

 

[Strootman's Finger]

Please name them

Timber, Martinez, Mazroui, Gravenberch, Alvarez, Tadic, Antony, Haller, and probably Tagliafico as well, since Shaw and Telles are both shite. Not saying these are United quality players that would win us the league, but they are players that performed better than ours, easily, last season.

 

[sillwuka]

£50m is already too much. £69m is laughable. Just move on. Anybody else bids £50m and Ajax cave in immediately. .

I agree, anything over 50 is too much for him.

 

[Rozay]

Half of Europe is trying to buy up the whole Ajax team, which United player are European clubs queuing up for?

Might be because half of Ajax’s team is permanently on sale for a start.

 

[Rozay]

Timber, Martinez, Mazroui, Gravenberch, Alvarez, Tadic, Antony, Haller, and probably Tagliafico as well, since Shaw and Telles are both shite. Not saying these are United quality players that would win us the league, but they are players that performed better than ours, easily, last season.

You might as well list the entire Bodo Glimt too, given they also had a fantastic domestic season in Norway.

 

[AaronRedDevil]

This is just stupid to pay that much. Barca can’t afford that guy from Leeds. Just get him. It’s be cheaper or same. He’d hardly stay at Leeds.

 

[Betson]

Is he a system player or what? His stats, in the same Dutch league that Memphis Depay was dunking on, aren’t all that great but we’re apparently about to be shaken down for 70m quid. 8 goals and 4 assists, was it?

That said I like the idea of signing a right winger and moving Rashford back up front.

When it come to a player like this that the manager knows well and has already worked extensively with , you then have to trust the managers judgement that he is a player we need.

 

[Becks00]

Timber, Martinez, Mazroui, Gravenberch, Alvarez, Tadic, Antony, Haller, and probably Tagliafico as well, since Shaw and Telles are both shite. Not saying these are United quality players that would win us the league, but they are players that performed better than ours, easily, last season.

Doesn't make any of them better than palyers we had available last season. If you think Tagliafico who cannot make the team ahead of Blind is better than Shaw then I don't really know what to say. There is no Universe where Gravenberch is better than Pogba, Timber is better than Varane, Tadic, Alvarez, Martinez, Antony are no better than there United counterpart. Haller better than Ronaldo is simply ridiculous.

The one person at Ajax football first team squad better than United options last season is the one we already got and that is their coach.

Edit: and Mazaroui, he is better than our options at RB.

 

[RedRonaldo]

You must be joking right? United is barely a step up in terms of quality(which most of you must agree with since at least 5 players of the starting XI are deemed to be an upgrade, before Mazraoui and Gravenberch went to Ajax). Why would Ajax want a player that isn't anywhere good enough for United

I really think 50m is more than enough for someone like Antony. Judging from his performance/stats in past seasons, he shouldn't worth more than 30-40m. The extra 10-20m is for his potential and his compatibility under ETH system. Don't forget We bought Diallo for 25m +15m adds on, and he is one of more talented youngster around.

I mean, Tadic only cost them 12m, and he was far better player than Antony last season.

 

[RedRonaldo]

You must be joking right? United is barely a step up in terms of quality(which most of you must agree with since at least 5 players of the starting XI are deemed to be an upgrade, before Mazraoui and Gravenberch went to Ajax). Why would Ajax want a player that isn't anywhere good enough for United

Because PL is far better league than Dutch league, and Diallo is one of more talented youngster around, whom we bought for 25m +15m add on not long ago (thats a premium fee for an unproven teenager). He is still very young (3 years younger than Antony) and we haven't yet give him any chance to feature yet. He has some real potential too. Apparently he has got the talent but not quite the physical body to play in toughest league in the world yet.

 

[Rozay]

Because PL is far better league than Dutch league, and Diallo is one of more talented youngster around, whom we bought for 25m +15m add on not long ago (thats a premium fee for an unproven teenager). He is still very young (3 years younger than Antony) and we haven't yet give him any chance to feature yet. He has some real potential too. Apparently he has got the talent but not quite the physical body to play in toughest league in the world yet.

Interestingly he was supposed to be in Holland last season if not for injury. Shame as Ten Hag would have gotten a good look at him if he were at Feyenoord.

They may come in for him again though having just sold Sinisterra.

 

[Daslogisch]

We wouldn't put in a disrespectfully low bid for Antony while negotiating for Martinez.

I would say that Antony bid is close to what they want.

It's not a disgracefully low bid, but also not very close to what Ajax want. It is a decent offer, but Ajax don't want to sell him. Therefore Ajax require an incredible offer and won't accept a decent one. Ajax want around €80m, United now seems to have offered €60m.

I think it's close enough for it to come to terms at some point, but I can't see Ajax accepting an offer much below €75m. Ajax don't have to sell and Ajax can sell him for 50-60m next year even if he does not explode. He has all the talent to explode next year and then everyone will value him at €80m or even more if he explodes at the right stage (WC/CL). Therefore it makes no sense for Ajax to sell at €60m now. As I said, can't see Ajax going down a lot lower than €75m (in total). It does not make sense for Ajax to accept much lower than that.

At first I didn't think it would happen as United didn't seem to have the money available, but maybe Ronaldo leaving makes up for the funds required. I could see it happen now but only if United is prepared to pay €70-80m.

 

[Cassidy]

It's not a disgracefully low bid, but also not very close to what Ajax want. It is a decent offer, but Ajax don't want to sell him. Therefore Ajax require an incredible offer and won't accept a decent one. Ajax want around €80m, United now seems to have offered €60m.

I think it's close enough for it to come to terms at some point, but I can't see Ajax accepting anything much below €75m. Ajax don't have to sell and Ajax can sell him for 50-60m next year even if he does not explode. He has all the talent to explode next year and then everyone will value him at €80m or even more if he explodes at the right stage (WC/CL). Therefore it makes no sense for Ajax to sell at €60m now. As I said, can't see Ajax going down a lot lower than €75m (in total).

At first I didn't think it would happen as United didn't seem to have the money available, but maybe Ronaldo makes up for the funds required. I could see it happen now but only if United is prepared to pay €70-80m.

Thats because they purposely quoted high because they don't want to sell. If he is sold it won't be anywhere near 80m euros

 

[Flying_Heckfish]

It's not a disgracefully low bid, but also not very close to what Ajax want. It is a decent offer, but Ajax don't want to sell him. Therefore Ajax require an incredible offer and won't accept a decent one. Ajax want around €80m, United now seems to have offered €60m.

I think it's close enough for it to come to terms at some point, but I can't see Ajax accepting an offer much below €75m. Ajax don't have to sell and Ajax can sell him for 50-60m next year even if he does not explode. He has all the talent to explode next year and then everyone will value him at €80m or even more if he explodes at the right stage (WC/CL). Therefore it makes no sense for Ajax to sell at €60m now. As I said, can't see Ajax going down a lot lower than €75m (in total). It does not make sense for Ajax to accept much lower than that.

At first I didn't think it would happen as United didn't seem to have the money available, but maybe Ronaldo leaving makes up for the funds required. I could see it happen now but only if United is prepared to pay €70-80m.

No chance we will pay that. In that bracket, look elsewhere - not that we even have the budget to pay that much, in any case.

 

[Daslogisch]

I really think 50m is more than enough for someone like Antony. Judging from his performance/stats in past seasons, he shouldn't worth more than 30-40m. The extra 10-20m is for his potential and his compatibility under ETH system. Don't forget We bought Diallo for 25m +15m adds on, and he is one of more talented youngster around.

I mean, Tadic only cost them 12m, and he was far better player than Antony last season.

Like you've seen any Ajax matches? You probably have seen zero. You're solely basing your opinion off stats.

Tadic was Ajax' most consistent player (with Martinez), but Antony was/is Ajax' best player. Ajax struggled a lot when he was injured.

You can't compare Diallo to Antony. No one knows Diallo. Antony is a Brazilian NT player, who has also made a name for himself in CL. The whole world wants to sign Antony, which is exactly why he'll cost much more than Diallo.

 

[Strootman's Finger]

You might as well list the entire Bodo Glimt too, given they also had a fantastic domestic season in Norway.

A lot of that is down to our players being shit. And while the Eredivisie isn't a top tier competition, it's way ahead of Norway.

 

[Rozay]

A lot of that is down to our players being shit. And while the Eredivisie isn't a top tier competition, it's way ahead of Norway.

And way behind England.

And our players ‘being shit’ is relative. We still finished in the top 6 of by far the toughest top league out there. And our finishing 6th was considered a huge disappointment for these players, as they are considered good enough to have done much better than 6th. In England. The Ajax players would have no such expectation.

The likes of Daley Blind, Dudan Tadic, Sebastian Haller and Davey Klassen could only manage somewhere between ‘decent’ and terrible over here. You’re having an absolute laugh if you think Ajax have 8 or 9 players better than ours. A team of Haller, Tadic, Gravenberch, Alvarez, Blind and Onana does not finish in the English top 6.

 

[Strootman's Finger]

Doesn't make any of them better than palyers we had available last season. If you think Tagliafico who cannot make the team ahead of Blind is better than Shaw then I don't really know what to say. There is no Universe where Gravenberch is better than Pogba, Timber is better than Varane, Tadic, Alvarez, Martinez, Antony are no better than there United counterpart. Haller better than Ronaldo is simply ridiculous.

The one person at Ajax football first team squad better than United options last season is the one we already got and that is their coach.

Edit: and Mazaroui, he is better than our options at RB.

I didn't say any of them were better players, just in better form last year than their United counterparts, although, frankly some are better. Shaw is shite, I have thought that from the moment we bought him, I gave him time to prove me wrong, but he really hasn't, including this season. Pogba is a fraud, I would take Gravenberch every day of the week ahead of him. If United changed nothing but got rid of pogba this summer, every other element of our team was the exact same, I would say we are stronger now, he's a cancer on the team and we are stronger without him. Point to a good pogba performance after the opening game vs Leeds. Varane, top quality, injury prone. Varane fit, starts every day of the week, but Martinez or Timber are better than any other CB we have (or we wouldn't be trying to buy them), so with Varane missng a number of games, both would have got a lot at United last year. Tadic/Bruno is maybe the biggest debate, but Tadic has performed consistently for 4 years at Ajax, they talk about him like he is one of their best ever players, and most likely would have suited Rangnick's style far more than Bruno last season. We have no counterpart for Alvarez, so he probably would have started 40 games by default. We played Elanga, when he wasn't even really that good, but you don't think Antony would have gotten into the team? Haller nowhere near better than Ronaldo, ridiculous, Ronaldo is the greatest ever player, but what did we do when Ronaldo didn't start? And I don't mean lose, I mean, who played in his place and how did they perform?

 

[Rozay]

I didn't say any of them were better players, just in better form last year than their United counterparts, although, frankly some are better. Shaw is shite, I have thought that from the moment we bought him, I gave him time to prove me wrong, but he really hasn't, including this season. Pogba is a fraud, I would take Gravenberch every day of the week ahead of him. If United changed nothing but got rid of pogba this summer, every other element of our team was the exact same, I would say we are stronger now, he's a cancer on the team and we are stronger without him. Point to a good pogba performance after the opening game vs Leeds. Varane, top quality, injury prone. Varane fit, starts every day of the week, but Martinez or Timber are better than any other CB we have (or we wouldn't be trying to buy them), so with Varane missng a number of games, both would have got a lot at United last year. Tadic/Bruno is maybe the biggest debate, but Tadic has performed consistently for 4 years at Ajax, they talk about him like he is one of their best ever players, and most likely would have suited Rangnick's style far more than Bruno last season. We have no counterpart for Alvarez, so he probably would have started 40 games by default. We played Elanga, when he wasn't even really that good, but you don't think Antony would have gotten into the team? Haller nowhere near better than Ronaldo, ridiculous, Ronaldo is the greatest ever player, but what did we do when Ronaldo didn't start? And I don't mean lose, I mean, who played in his place and how did they perform?

The very next one against Southampton?

 

[Strootman's Finger]

And way behind England.

And our players ‘being shit’ is relative. We still finished in the top 6 of by far the toughest top league out there. And our finishing 6th was considered a huge disappointment for these players, as they are considered good enough to have done much better than 6th. In England. The Ajax players would have no such expectation.

The likes of Daley Blind, Dudan Tadic, Sebastian Haller and Davey Klassen could only manage somewhere between ‘decent’ and terrible over here. You’re having an absolute laugh if you think Ajax have 8 or 9 players better than ours. A team of Haller, Tadic, Gravenberch, Alvarez, Blind and Onana does not finish in the English top 6.

We only finished 6th because Brighton did us a favor in the dying minutes of the season. Too many variables, swap our playing staff with Ajax's and I don't think they finish 6th, replace United with Ajax in the league last season and it might be different. They are a well run club, a well coached team, they play good football, they score a ton, don't concede much. They beat Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon twice, those teams are probably better than your average mid table english team.

 

[Strootman's Finger]

The very next one against Southampton?

I don't remember the specifics, but I watched the game, and all I remember is thinking is, I guess that, rather amazing, performance against Leeds was a fluke. Even if he played good in that game, what about the next 45?