Manchester United Still "Keeping Tabs" On Ajax Winger Antony Despite Reports Suggesting A Lack Of Interest

With Manchester United having signed players in both the defensive and midfield operations, the latest reports have suggested that they are now keeping tabs on attackers.

It has been widely reported over the course of the transfer window that Erik ten Hag wants at least five signings, with one being an attacking player.

Many have theorised that this attacker would come in either the form of a back-up striker or right winger, since the club are slightly depleted in that department.

With the losses of Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood last season, Manchester United went into this summer window with two strikers on the books – Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It has since emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United due to a lack of Champions League football and transfer activity, and with Anthony Martial firing hot and cold over the last few seasons, it would make sense for Ten Hag to want another central attacker to increase the depth and competition in his squad.

The other ‘hole’ that needs filling in the side is that of the right-wing. Although the club signed Jadon Sancho last summer and both Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo the summer before, the former seemed more comfortable on the left last season and the latter two are potentially both going on loan this summer.

This would leave the club with an overload of wingers on the left and not enough on the right, with even Anthony Elanga stating that he prefers the left wing.

One name that has surfaced constantly this window has been Ajax winger Anthony. It was originally reported that Manchester United were interested in the winger, but that Ajax then set a £70 million price tag on the player, which the Manchester club were not willing to pay.

It was then said that Manchester United had not really enquired about the player, and were instead much more focused on the signing of Lisandro Martinez – who the club have now agreed a fee for.

The future of Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly have a heavy say in Manchester United’s ability to sign an attacking player.

However, as per talkSPORT information, Manchester United are still keeping tabs on Antony and may yet sign him this window.

“I've had some information from a very reliable source that Manchester United are still very much looking to bring him,” explained presenter Alex Crook on their radio show.

He further clarifies that the future of Ronaldo may no longer be connected to any targeting of Antony.

"I was under the impression last week that Antony would only be a target if Ronaldo was to leave the club,” Crook explained. “That may not be the case.”

Manchester United are still “hoping” to sign Antony, as he is a key target of Ten Hag’s, with the club looking very focused on making sure that the signings they bring in for the Dutch manager are exactly what he wants to build his squad.

Manchester United are set to take on Aston Villa in their fourth pre-season friendly in Perth on Saturday.