Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has claimed that Antony's transfer to Manchester United was the "perfect next step" for the player.
It was an arduous series of negotiations that saw Antony finally make the move to United. A day before the transfer window closed on September 1, the club finally announced that an agreement had been reached.
United paid Ajax €95million (£82.5million) up front, with €5million (£4.3million) due in add-ons. Antony made his intention clear to sign for United and work with Erik ten Hag again as he refused to play for the Eredivisie side in the final days of the transfer window to try and force through a deal.
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The Brazilian made his debut for United at Old Trafford against Arsenal and scored just 35 minutes into the 3-1 win. His celebration showed just how badly he wanted the move, as he clawed at and kissed the club crest, sending the crowd into raptures.
Schreuder had previously publicly criticised Antony's behaviour as the transfer reached its ultimate conclusion. The Ajax boss has now praised his former player after the 22-year-old made the move to United this summer.
He told TNT Sports (via Sport Witness ): “That was, for me, disappointing, the way it happened. I spoke about it. But of course he can make this transfer. It’s also the philosophy of Ajax, they play two or three years good and they can go. So for him it’s a perfect next step, it can be very good. But the moment in that window was, for us, not good."
Schreuder was then asked what his communication was like Antony and admitted that, despite his previous disapproval of his actions, he does admire his former winger.
“Of course, I talked a lot with him," the Ajax boss added. "He’s a great guy, he’s a great person.
"And of course he told me also that he wanted to leave. Because he comes from Brazil to Ajax to make a next step. And that’s also what we want. We also want players to come sometimes to take a next step. That’s good for both. But the timing was, for us, not perfect.”
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