Manchester United prepared to take hit on underperforming £86m signing

Manchester United are prepared to take a huge hit on Antony in an attempt to flog the winger in the summer.

According to talkSPORT, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified Antony as a player he is willing to offload even though he is fully aware the club will not recoup anywhere near the £86 million it cost to bring him to Old Trafford in August 2022.

It is understood that Ratcliffe is planning a big clear out to trim the wage bill at United, with Casemiro and Raphael Varane likely to be on the departure list.

There is no denying that Ajax pulled the wool over our eyes with that deal. Ten Hag liked Antony from his time at Ajax, but he was never a player that warranted such a transfer fee.

The Brazil international has failed to score a single goal or register an assist in his 20 Premier League appearances this term. His only goal this season came in a win over Newport County in the FA Cup fourth-round.

Antony started against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, although it would be a shock if he was anywhere near the line-up for the upcoming Manchester derby on Sunday.

It was telling last week when Ten Hag opted to start 19-year-old Omari Forson ahead of Antony. Perhaps the writing is on the wall for him to leave after all.