MANCHESTER UNITED fans will be praying the club can get a deal for Antony over the line after watching their front three against Southampton.
The Red Devils squeezed past Saints 1-0 at St Mary’s thanks to a second half goal from Bruno Fernandes.
It means United have now won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since February following their victory over Liverpool on Monday.
However, it was by no means a vintage performance from Erik ten Hag’s men – typified by the lacklustre displays from their front three.
The Dutch manager named an unchanged side from the Liverpool game, so Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga kept their spots on the flanks either side of Marcus Rashford.
But it was an uninspiring showing from the front line.
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Elanga produced a dangerous run into the box at the start of the second half.
And Sancho enjoyed a couple of mazy runs which ultimately came to nothing.
Other than that, you’d be forgiven for not knowing who United had playing in the final third.
Rashford’s inability to play against any side who drop their defensive line back further than the halfway line is a real concern.
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And the lack of energy or ideas from the wide areas will be one of the major criticisms levelled at United’s performance.
Elanga and Sancho will both be looking over their shoulders when Anthony Martial is finally fit for selection.
But the arrival of Antony would definitely shake things up.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week that United are closing in on an £84million deal for the winger.
His 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 appearances for Ajax will excite United supporters if he does finally come to Old Trafford.
And while on the face of it the price tag is a rather absurd one, United are clearly lacking a talismanic player in attack.
Fernandes’ winner against Saints will save him from being criticised for what was ostensibly a woeful performance masked with a goal.
He is still a shadow of the player he was 18 months ago.
And Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains up in the air, with his departure now seemingly the best option for all parties.
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So, despite having six senior attacking players in their squad, the need for Antony is worrying.
If United were reluctant to meet Ajax’s asking price, this United display may force the Prem club to pull out all the stops.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
