Jaap Stam, a former Manchester United player, says Antony is not talented enough to play for a team near the top of the Premier League.

The Brazilian winger joined United in the summer of 2022 as one of two new acquisitions from his old club Ajax signed by Erik ten Hag. While Lisandro Martinez rebounded from a rocky start to become a fan favorite, Antony has struggled.

This season has been particularly challenging for United’s attacker, and although his performances have improved following a time out of the starting XI, Antony has yet to score or assist this season. Gary Neville said after the loss to Manchester City in October that the acquisition of the 23-year-old was a pаnic buy.

“Antony cost Manchester United £80 million, and no one can blame the Glazers for that,” he wrote on X. This one belongs to Ten Hag, and United overpaid horribly.”

Later, Neville added, “Context on Antony.” We’d recently lost to Brighton and Brentford, and the club was in typical reactionary pаnic mode, sanctioning and saying “Yes” to Casemiro and Antony.”

Fast forward to December, when Stam acknowledged on Neville’s Stick to Football podcast, provided to you by Sky Bet, that Antony’s price was not fair. “From what I’ve seen from Antony, he’s not good enough for this level that we’re looking for at United,” he said.

“Because you’re looking for a player who can strugglе and have a difficult time when he comes in, but [we can see] where he’s making progress to get to that level.” When you look at Antony right now, you don’t see where he can make the next step in the Premier League to be up there with the great wingers who can make a difference.

“In Holland, he did well, but he wasn’t the best player there.” He played well for Ajax, but they play in a league with just several strong players, while the rest of the league is filled with poor players. He could always do his trickery, throw crosses in, and play a one-two because they’re constantly dominating.

“However, at this level – and this is down to recruitment in collaboration with management – they must make the right choices to bring in players who can truly make a difference in the Premier League.” Antony’s charge astonished me.”