Rúben Amorim denies Manchester United transfer rumour of £16m star who ‘won’ the derby

Rúben Amorim has denied the transfer rumours of a £16 million-rated Antony after he was praised for providing a key role that won Manchester United their derby on the weekend.

Antony‘s time at Manchester United has been viewed as a catastrophic failure following his £85 million move from Ajax in 2022.

The 24-year-old was signed on the specific request of then-manager Erik ten Hag and went on to score in his opening three Premier League fixtures, prompting many to praise the right winger.

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However, he ended that season with ten goals and five assists, and since then has added little more than four further goals and another two assists, leading many to brand him a complete waste of money, with many expecting him to be sold in 2025.

Another gripe many fans have had with Antony is his one-footedness. Often, the winger is two obvious in his decision-making and refuses to use his right foot, making him predictable and frutrsating.

Amorim quashes rumours

Earlier in December, Sky Germany reported that although United have seen improvement in Antony since Rúben Amorim joined as the new head coach, they are looking for offers for the player, whose value has dropped to around £16 million.

However, speaking to talkSPORT after the derby win, Amorim was asked about Antony’s future, explaining that the Brazilian instead now has a clean slate amid a new era at Old Trafford.

“I think, when we started, everybody is from scratch,” Amorim said. “We took like one month to explain that everything has a new beginning because every person deserves a new beginning and the power is in their hands because, if they show it, I will put them in to play.

“I just want to win. They are responsible to play, not me. He did a great job improving in that position. He has to defend more but he has the ability to do it and has to do it himself.”

Antony’s role in the derby win

During United’s recent 2-1 triumph against Manchester City at the Etihad, Antony replaced Noussair Mazraoui as a right wing-back for the final 12 minutes of the tie, in which United scored both of their goals at the Etihad Stadium.

Although Amad Diallo won the penalty that Bruno Fernandes scored before dispatching the winner himself, Antony’s crucial role in the final moments that turned the tide was highlighted by former Everton and England midfielder Leon Osman as the reason United were able to score both goals.

“It was positive change from Ruben Amorim to bring on Antony in place of Noussair Mazraoui,” Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Of course his side was chasing the game, but to bring Antony on as a right wing-back and win both sides of the battle against Jack Grealish, who would’ve thought that.

“Then it forced Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez to see those opportunities and play that pass. Those runs were always there. They just weren’t playing the pass.”

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