SEG chief claims Erik ten Hag didn't want Manchester United to sign Antony, club pushed through with deal for one key reason

Kees Vos, the co-founder of SEG, the agency that manages former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that the boss wasn't in favour of signing Antony.

The Brazilian arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 from Ajax on a reported €95 million move but struggled to live up to expectations. In 96 appearances across competitions, he has contributed only 12 goals and five assists and was loaned out to Real Betis for the second half of last season.

Antony fared better at the La Liga club, with 14 goal contributions (nine goals and five assists) in 26 games across competitions. As per Tribal Football, Betis are willing to sign Antony permanently.

Meanwhile, Vos said in his book Liverpool and the Dutch that contrary to popular belief, it was the club, and not Ten Hag, who pushed for Antony's Old Trafford move to avoid strengthening Arsenal, a direct rival:

"Ten Hag and Vos were not in favour of this and wanted to stop the transfer. But the club wanted to push through at all costs, because Arsenal was also interested in Antony. The risk of a stronger competitor would be great. Ultimately, Manchester United paid almost 100 million euros for Antony.

"Although Ten Hag did not support this transfer, it stuck with him throughout his entire time in Manchester that he took over the attacker from Ajax for this ill-fated amount, who was never able to fulfil his promise."

The Brazilian is contracted to Old Trafford till 2027 but faces an uncertain future at the club.

Manchester United looking to offload Antony

Manchester United are reportedly looking to offload out-of-favour winger Antony. As per GOAL, they are expecting around £40 million for the Brazilian, who had a successful half-season stint at Betis earlier this year.

The report (via Sky Germany) also mentions possible interest from Bayer Leverkusen, with Ten Hag likely seeking a reunion with Antony, having had a successful spell together at Ajax.

The Red Devils are apparently ready to accept a loss on their initial investment on Antony as they plot a roster rejig following one of the club's worst seasons in recent memory. They finished a lowly 15th in the Premier League and lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final.

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Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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