‘Like Primark & Zara’ – Antony versus Kaoru Mitoma transfer question asked of Man Utd after spending £85m on Brazilian winger with no clear strengths

The Red Devils invested £85 million ($107m) in prising the Brazil international winger away from Ajax in the summer of 2022. Antony registered just eight goals in his debut campaign, with more cost effective forwards – such as 10-goal Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, who cost his side just £2.7m – overshadowing the South American’s performances.

Ex-United striker Andy Cole is puzzled as to how those at Old Trafford continue to get things so wrong, telling Betfred of more bemusing recruitment business: “I sometimes have to ask myself what Antony’s strengths are? He doesn't take players on, he doesn’t create chances and he doesn’t score goals. So what are his strengths? We paid a massive amount of money for him.

"When you look at a club like Brighton who signed Mitoma for £2.7 million, then you have to ask what market are Manchester United shopping in when Brighton pays that for Mitoma and we end up paying £85 million for Antony? Are we not shopping in the same market? It’s like Primark and Zara; you think by paying more to shop at Zara, the quality will be better, but it turns out to be the same as Primark, so you end up paying more for the same thing. I look at the transfers we’ve made over the last 10 years and we’ve spent a hell of a lot of money on players that other clubs would have paid less for, so is it a case of Manchester United tax? We can’t continue doing that.”

Antony has, against a backdrop of issues off the field, failed to find the target through 12 appearances for United this season and has no assists to his name. Cole, who formed part of the Red Devils’ 1999 Treble-winning triumph, added on that lack of end product: “If I played with Antony, it would drive me mad. As a centre-forward, if you’re playing with someone like Antony and he doesn’t get to the byline and put crosses in, then you’re going to be pulling your hair out. Strikers need crosses, especially Rasmus Hojlund who hasn’t scored in the Premier League yet.

"When Antony cuts in on his left-foot, nine times out of 10 he’s going to shoot. The only chances Hojlund’s going to receive from Antony is if the opposition goalkeeper parries any of his shots from distance. Antony’s had a really disappointing season. I understand he’s had things going on in the background, but that aside, playing football is ultimately what he does and I struggle to see what he has given the team so far. If his form doesn’t improve throughout the season, you never know what will happen. It all depends on how much longer the manager wants to stick with him.”

Antony is tied to a contract through to 2027, but United continue to be linked with alternative attacking transfer targets. Mitoma may register on their radar at some stage, with the 26-year-old winger recording another three goals and four assists for Brighton so far in the 2023-24 campaign.