Premier League legend tells Manchester United INEOS target ‘is not an upgrade’ on Antony

Manchester United have been linked with Michael Olise in the past few days as INEOS debate on their first major signing in control of Old Trafford’s sporting decisions.

INEOS‘ control of Manchester United‘s sporting structure has come as a result of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s 25 per cent acquisition of the club, making him the single largest shareholder at Old Trafford.

With this new responsibility, reports claim that they have settled on Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise as their top target for the summer window. Olise has a reported £60 million release clause in his current contract.

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Subsequent to the reports, many United fans urged the club to follow through with the signing, with some suggesting that he would be a replacement for Antony on the right-hand side.

However, former Premier League striker John Barnes, who scored 106 career goals in 403 matches, believes that Olise is not an upgrade on Antony.

“Olise isn’t necessarily an upgrade. Just because he’s doing well at Palace doesn’t mean he’s an upgrade on Antony,” he told mybettingsites.

“Things just haven’t worked out for Antony. Olise is a confident player who can play for any of the big clubs. There was talk of Manchester City and Liverpool both being interested in Olise.”

Speaking further, Barnes claimed that “disharmony” at United makes either Manchester City or Liverpool a more attractive prospect for the 22-year-old.

“Him going to United would be him going to a club full of disharmony and a lack of unity, so he’s not going to go there and turn Manchester United around.

“United have a much bigger problem, so players need to stop going there thinking they will solve the issues at the club. There’s a lack of togetherness and belief within the club from the players to the manager to the fans.

“Olise is a fantastic player, and as I said, Liverpool and City could be interested in him too, and those two clubs are a more likely destination for him. It’s a more attractive proposition because both clubs are stable, unlike United.

“But Olise would be a great signing for Manchester United, City and Liverpool.”