14 March 2023 , 13:18
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PSV Eindhoven's director of football has slammed Manchester United's decision to splash £86million to sign Antony in the summer window.
The winger joined from Ajax at the end of August, but has endured a mixed season which has been disrupted by injury. He has scored just three goals and failed to notch an assist in the Premier League so far this campaign.
Antony cost nearly double what Arsenal paid for Gabriel Jesus, who has had a huge impact in the Gunners' charge to the top of the table. PSV also sold Cody Gakpo, one of their star players, to Liverpool for far less than Ajax brought in for Antony.
Gakpo has already scored four goals in nine Premier League games, including a double against United last week. The difference between the performances of Antony and Gakpo has now led to Marcel Brands taking aim at the Red Devils' decision to sign the Brazilian.
Brands slammed the move to sign Antony as "madness", highlighting similar players who have been signed for far less. He defended the decision to sell Gakpo in January, insisting PSV had to be "realistic".
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"If you compare it with transfers that were realistic, such as that of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City to Arsenal: that was also around that rate (£45m). Those are normal amounts," Brands told BNR.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Did Manchester United make a mistake by signing Antony? Comment below.
(Getty Images)"I think everyone in football knows that Antony was a madness. I think Raphinha is an even better player than Antony, but he left for much less (£55m). Of course it was a financial issue. But on the other hand you also have to be realistic.
"If Liverpool come for Gakpo and promises have been made, you can't stop that. Madueke was not planned and not expected, but it came a lot of money on the table and it was Chelsea. That's when we made that choice."
United boss Erik ten Hag has defended Antony for his performances, having also managed him at Ajax. The Dutchman has insisted that the winger has been a key part of his team this season.
"When he's playing, the team is winning. That already gives a message of how well he is performing. He can do better, I see space for improvement. For instance, we want him to be more direct and be more involved," Ten Hag said in January.
"But, as I said, the team is performing better if he is on the pitch. That's a good thing, that's a good base to build further. I think he has already made an improvement. In his first three [league] games, he scored three goals.
"Now he was scoring against Everton, he was scoring against Charlton, so also that fact, he has an impact. But I think with his capabilities, with his talents, he can do even more. But as I said, I think he has [made] a good contribution in the team."