Journalist: Man United targeting £43 million former Real Madrid winger as Antony alternative
Manchester United are reported to be looking to bring in competition for Antony after a tough start to life at Old Trafford, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag decided that Ajax winger Antony was to be the man to solve the issues on the right-hand side at Manchester United, and the club went all-in, shelling out £86 million for the Brazilian.
Antony scored on his debut for United during the victory over Arsenal and in the two Premier League games after that against Manchester City and Everton.
Since then, however, he has netted just once in England’s top division and that was against Nottingham Forest back in April. The Brazilian has struggled hugely this season, too, with 0 goals or assists to his name in 18 appearances.
Antony replacement
The patience from the Red Devils will only last for so long and the winger has already been dropped this season for Facundo Pellistri and exciting winger Amad Diallo is set to return, too.
However, according to a report from The Sun, United have already identified a replacement for the 22-year-old, Real Sociedad and former Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo.
The report states that the Red Devils have sent scouts to watch the Japanese international on seven separate occasions which may well highlight just how keen the club are on the talented former Madrid winger.
Kubo never made an appearance for Los Blancos but has six goals and three assists already this season for Sociedad and could be available for just £43 million in the summer, despite his contract not expiring until 2027.
United could reportedly offer Antony on loan as a sweetener in the deal, whether the Spanish side would accept that remains to be seen but the Brazilian’s future is looking more and more uncertain if alternatives are being targeted.
Takefusa Kubo player profile
Age: 22
Position: Right winger
Nationality: Japan
Club: Real Sociedad
Contract: Until June 2027
Amad could be another alternative
Since joining the club in the summer of 2022, Antony has just eight goals to his name since then and fans are already beginning to lose patience with the United star.
Pellistri has shown more and no doubt once Amad, who is back on the training pitch, comes back into the fold, the Ivorian will show more aggression when going forward than the Brazilian does.
Perhaps instead of targeting a winger, giving the former Atalanta forward a chance in the first team would be the right thing to do after he struck 14 times in the Championship last season during his loan spell at Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland.
