I'm not going again! The 'worst recruitment of Manchester United' 150 billion man to reject Saudi offer → Rumors of transfer to Fenerbahce also disintegrated "I have no intention of leaving"

Sep 05, 2024

Antoni, considered the worst recruit in Manchester United history, does not seem to have any intention of leaving the team. European football transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano said, `The news that Antony is being linked to Fenerbahce is false. Antony is focused on Manchester United and has no intention of leaving' Antony said he will remain at Manchester United. AFP Yonhap News

Antony, who is considered the worst recruit in Manchester United history, does not seem to have any intention of leaving the team.

Turkiye's Potomac announced Antony's transfer on the 5th (Korea time), saying, `I hope Fenerbahce will recruit Antony.' Potomac reportedly wants 25 million pounds (about 44 billion won) for Manchester United. Fenerbahce wants Antony, may add to his full transfer clause'

However, the possibility of Antony's transfer to Fenerbahce was not true. European football transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano said, `The news that Antony is being linked to Fenerbahce is false. Antony is focused on Manchester United and has no intention of leaving' Antony said he will remain at Manchester United.

It is frustrating for Manchester United fans. Antony joined Manchester United in 2022 and is one of the worst cases of Manchester United's recruitment since then. At that time, Manchester United surprised fans by recruiting Antony, who was difficult to see as the best performance on the Dutch stage, for a whopping 86 million pounds (about 150 billion won). It was a request from coach Erik tenhach, but it was difficult to say that it was a reasonable recruitment.

The first season raised expectations a little. He appeared in 44 official matches and scored eight goals and three assists, incorporating into Tenhach's tactics. However, Antony's presence in the second season, 2023-2024, was completely disappeared from Manchester United. Antony, who scored three goals and two assists in 38 official matches, could not find any influence in the game.

Prospects have emerged for Antony's sale after the end of the season. The problem was that it was not easy to sell due to his high transfer fee and weekly pay. In the end, Manchester United will reportedly send a lease if only a team will pay £200,000 (about 350 million won) a week and £10 million (about 18 billion won) a year, which Antony is receiving. However, few clubs are interested in renting, so Manchester United and its fans are burned down.

Even though it received Saudi attention, it expressed its intention to stay. The English Football Insider said that "Manchester United winger Antony has emerged as the main target for Saudi Arabian club Alnasr" and turned his attention to Antony after failing to agree on the signing of Barcelona winger Hafinha. Alnasr is seeking to sign Antony, and has expressed interest ahead of the close of the transfer window, he said.

Antony didn't even intend to leave the team, contrary to Manchester United's plan and Saudi interest. He said in this interview "I'm the one asking a lot of things from me. I wasn't satisfied with last season. I have a lot of goals. There are many things I have written down for the new season. I'm doing more for this season" he said.

Manchester United fans' reaction was cold despite Antony's will. The fans said "We paid a lot of money to the League One (third division) player", "No one can accept it, so I'll let him stay.", "Everyone loves him except Manchester United fans.", "The worst recruitment ever is not the story to be told," he said, expressing strong criticism.

In the end, rumors of a transfer to Fenerbahce are also canceled, and in fact, Manchester United is expected to be with Antony at least until the winter transfer market. It is expected that Manchester United fans will only sigh.

digh1229@sportschosun.com