October 10th 2024.
Paul Merson, a legendary figure at Arsenal, recently shared his thoughts on Manchester United's decision to spend a whopping £80m on Antony. In an interview, he expressed his disappointment and questioned the club's recruitment strategy, suggesting that bringing in former players Gary Neville or Rio Ferdinand would be beneficial.
Antony, a Brazilian winger, joined Manchester United in 2022 after two successful years at Ajax. With such a high price tag, the club had hoped for him to become one of their top performers and a shining star in the Premier League. However, the 24-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations and has found himself mostly on the bench this season.
Merson couldn't help but wonder who approved such a costly transfer and even went as far as to say that Antony wouldn't even be worth £40m if he were to be sold today. He also pointed out that Manchester United has not had many successful signings in recent years and believes that the club could benefit from the input of club legends like Neville and Ferdinand.
When asked about the uncertainty and scrutiny surrounding the club's future, Merson mentioned that perhaps there was a long-term plan in place, but it would take time for Manchester United to catch up to teams like City and Arsenal. He also expressed concern over the lack of successful signings and suggested that someone like Neville, who has been at the club his entire career, would be a good fit for leading the recruitment process.
Speaking of Antony's struggles, Merson couldn't believe that Manchester United had spent £80m on a player who has yet to prove himself in the Premier League, where competition is much tougher. He also mentioned that his performances in the Dutch league, where he consistently cut inside from the wing, may not translate as well in the Premier League where full-backs are all experienced international players.
Antony has yet to start a Premier League game this season, and even Manchester United's under-pressure manager, Erik ten Hag, has admitted that the player needs to earn his spot in the starting line-up. Ten Hag stated that in top-level football, players must fight for their positions and prove themselves in training.
Currently, Manchester United is in 14th place in the Premier League, with only two wins in their first seven games. Merson's comments only add to the pressure on the club, as fans and pundits alike question the team's performance and future prospects. As for Merson, he continues to follow and analyze Arsenal news, sharing his insights and opinions with fans.
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