Respected journalist claims Man Utd star 'squared up to someone' to force through Old Trafford move

Manchester United winger Antony "squared up to someone" to try and force through a move to the Premier League club, it has been claimed.

Antony, 23, joined United from Ajax last summer in a deal which could cost the Red Devils as much as £86.2m including add-ons.

Erik ten Hag was keen to reunite with the Brazil international, who scored 22 goals and provided 24 assists in 82 games under the Dutchman at Ajax.

Antony has found English football a much tougher test, managing only six goals and one assist so far in his debut season.

But he has already picked up a piece of silverware, having helped United win the Carabao Cup earlier this month.

It has now been revealed just how desperate Antony was to join United in the summer window.

Antony's altercation revealed

After speaking with United's director of football John Murtough, ESPN journalist Rob Dawson claims Antony was involved in an altercation with a figure at Ajax over his desire to move to Old Trafford.

"We brought these players in because they bring all that stuff off the field," Dawson told The United Stand, when asked to assess the impact of the club's summer signings.

"You speak to people like John Murtough and people in his recruitment department and he will tell you that himself, it's not just about the football players.

"They love the fact that Lisandro Martinez walked into a room at Ajax and said 'I'm going to Man United.' And they were like 'no, you're not', and he was like 'yeah I am, see you later. I want to play for Man United, I'm going.'

"They love the fact that Casemiro, even after Brentford, rang up and said 'I'm still coming. It's alright, I'll fix this – I'm still coming.'

"They love the fact that Antony squared up to someone at Ajax and said 'You've got to let me go. I'm desperate to go, I'm desperate to play for Man United.'

"That is the kind of spirit and desire that they want from these new signings and you can see it all over the pitch, and that's exactly what Erik ten Hag has done."