Antony is set to become Erik ten Hag’s fifth signing as Manchester United boss and will come in as the attacking reinforcement he has longed for all summer.
After working closely with him for two years at Ajax, the Dutchman knows what he is getting. His 12 goals and 10 assists last season helped Ten Hag to his third Dutch title.
The new United boss has been keen to stress that incoming recruits must have the right attitude on and off the pitch. Antony’s refusal to train with the Ajax first team and his public slamming of his current employers has been criticised and may come as a concern to onlookers.
READ MORE: United edging closer to signing Antony
But no-one can question his passion. It’s something that two former Netherlands internationals once said could cost him a move to a big club, though.
Back in March, the winger netted an 87th-minute winner against Feyenoord and was yellow carded for removing his shirt during the celebrations. He shortly picked up a second in injury time and was dismissed before the final whistle.
At the time, there were rumours that Liverpool and Manchester City were keeping tabs on the Brazilian. Former PSV wide man Rene van der Gijp said interested parties looking at Antony’s antics against Feyenoord would not have been impressed.
He told Vandaag Inside: “Suppose we are in the stands together as a scout for Manchester City or Liverpool… And we are looking at Antony, what do you think we would say when we come back on Monday? ‘We will not take that’. Then you can say: he is young, but it can also get crazier.”
Ex-Dutch centre-back Wim Kieft added: “He is not that young anymore, because he has been doing this for two years. Such a boy cannot be calmed by a coach, in the end.
“Ten Hag will of course never say that Antony behaves like an idiot, but he thinks so. In general, this behaviour is addressed in the locker room, then someone says: hey, what are you doing?”
Antony certainly seems a character, but it’s an aspect United have lacked in recent years. His transfer to United will disprove the myth that his behaviour would cost him a move to European giant. His next task will be to prove he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.
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