Antony Player Profile: What Erik ten Hag's €100 million signing will offer Manchester United

After a long and tiresome back and forth between Manchester United and Ajax, Erik ten Hag has finally got his man. 

Brazilian winger Antony will arrive at United for a hefty fee rumoured to be around €100 million, including add-ons.

But, what does the player actually bring to the club?

First, it’s best to take a look at what attributes he is best known for. 

As many highlight reels of the player demonstrate, his dribbling and flair are two things that stick out as what defines him as a player.

He is an ambitious trickster with a host of skills in his locker to utilise when trying to beat a man, somewhat reminiscent of fellow countryman Neymar.

His showboat nature is something that the Old Trafford faithful will adore, much as they did with a young Cristiano Ronaldo in the early 2000’s, who sought to entertain and get people off their seats with his dribbling style.

Antony’s pace is also excellent, which allows him to knock the ball round full-backs to get past them, something that he has shown many times when playing for Ajax. 

The sheer fact he is left footed makes him an incredibly unique asset in United’s front-line, with all of the current options being right-footed players, so a different dimension is instantly added with his signing, and that is something Ten Hag certainly would have considered when deciding to reunite with him. 

His lean build makes him incredibly agile, meaning he can weave in and out of players with ease, and he is commonly known to come inside on his favoured left foot and slalom between players in more central areas, as well as playing one-twos with the number nine with their back to goal, before getting a shot off himself. 

Antony (Alamy)

On that note, his shooting is also pretty impressive, and he can certainly lend a hand when it comes to adding goals to Ten Hag’s side. 

One thing to highlight is that he shoots a lot. 

He averages around 4 shots per 90, similar to the averages put up by Mohamed Salah.

He’s an ambitious player who isn’t afraid of having an attempt on goal, which obviously comes with positives and negatives.

It certainly shows that Antony doesn’t lack in confidence, something that he will need in abundance to make an instant impact in the Premier League.

His shooting technique is very much like other left-footed right-sided players, such as the aforementioned Salah, as well as Angel Di Maria.

He usually cuts in and looks to curl the ball into the far corner, though in certain situations he has been known to catch goalkeepers out by switching to the near post. 

His goalscoring numbers aren’t outstanding, only scoring eight in the league last season in 23 appearances, and he’s not as prolific as the likes of Salah, but he can certainly chip-in with goal output from time-to-time.

Antony’s creativity is also outstanding. His flair and trickery may fool people into thinking that he may be a wasteful and frustrating player, but this is far off the mark and his creative efficiency is top drawer. 

Coming from the school of Cruyff after being at Ajax, he’s a player who knows the value of possession, but also has the ambition to take risks and make killer passes. 

Antony for Ajax against Borussia Dortmund. (Alamy)

In order for Antony to thrive though, he will need runners around him. Marcus Rashford is one player that springs to mind that could link-up well with Antony, given his willingness to run in behind defences. Anthony Elanga could also do similar. 

It’s not just his cutting passes in behind that’ll help United going forward though. His interplay with those around him is also excellent.

He’s a sharp decision maker who can play one or two touch football with ease, again, credit to the Total Football ideologies instilled at Ajax.

Diogo Dalot will be the right back tasked with playing behind Antony, and we could see a viable partnership form between the two, with Dalot on the overlap to help create overloads down the right flank. 

Antony also crosses a lot, averaging around 3.5 crosses per game in the last year. We often see him cutting inside from the left and curling a ball into the box for players to run onto. The onrushing full-back often helps him gain the space in order to do this, so Dalot will be important for the Brazilian.

This could be a useful weapon, especially if Cristiano Ronaldo ends up staying at the club and gives him a focal point to aim at. 

Off the ball, he’s energetic and aggressive, which can sometimes spill into giving fouls away, but he’s not a lazy player off the ball, and he puts himself about, as Erik ten Hag would want from his attacking players. 

Antony. (Alamy)

He commonly uses his pace and energy to cut passing lanes and make interceptions high up the field, which can lead to further chances being created. 

Overall, Antony will bring a unique profile to Ten Hag’s United side, in a left-footed, pacey winger with an array of tricks up his sleeve to help beat defenders. 

He’s an aggressive, passionate showman with great efficiency and a hunger to entertain and create. 

The price has, and will, most certainly create noise, as all Manchester United signings do, but Antony doesn’t look to be a player that will cower in the spotlight, and everything points towards him thriving under the pressure.

Despite the large price tag and back and forth saga, Manchester United might just have got themselves a top-tier attacking talent.