2 years ago
Manchester United's new manager, Erik ten Hag, 'wants to sign Ajax winger Antony at Old Trafford.'
Erik ten Hag is apparently preparing a raid on his present club Ajax if he is offered a permanent position at Manchester United.
The Dutchman is set to be named the Red Devils' new manager, succeeding interim leader Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season.
According to the Sun, if Ten Hag is given the job, he intends to make a move for intriguing Brazilian winger Antony.
The 22-year-old, who is worth roughly £50 million, has been earmarked for 'phase one' of United's rebuild this summer under Ten Hag.
Ten Hag is keen to get started at Old Trafford and believes Antony is a'ready-made fit' for his new-look United.
Antony would have the advantage of knowing Ten Hag's style of football, having played regularly for Ajax over the last two seasons.
In February 2020, the club paid £18 million for the dynamic winger, who has since scored 22 goals in 79 games.
This season, he has tallied double digits in both goals and assists, tallying 12 goals and earning ten assists.
His performances drew the attention of the national squad, where he has made 9 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Ten Hag is thought to believe that signing Antony this summer makes more sense than risking seeing his value skyrocket during the World Cup if he performs in Qatar later this year.
Antony was originally brought in as a replacement for Hakim Ziyech, who had moved to Chelsea.
According to Sportsmail, Ten Hag will sign a new four-year contract with United this week, with final details still being worked out.
The hunt for a proper backroom personnel to support him will accelerate this week, with Rene Meulensteen, United coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, the most recent name to be connected with a position.
Ten Hag is set to bring his Ajax intern Mitchell van der Gaag with him, but he also wants another assistant who is familiar with the club. Robin van Persie has also been offered a job, but is likely to remain in Holland at Feyenoord due to family obligations.
With five games remaining in the Dutch season — Ajax are four points ahead of PSV at the top — Ten Hag is reluctant to comment on his new job until the season is complete and has been irritable in exchanges with Dutch journalists who keep bringing it up.
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