A year after spending nearly $100 million in transfer fees, Man Utd is reportedly looking to offload Antony and may involve a swap deal for Flamengo’s forward, Gabriel Barbosa.
According to The Mirror, Man Utd is exploring the possibility of loaning Antony to Flamengo as part of a deal involving the transfer of Gabriel Barbosa. The “Red Devils” cannot sell the former Ajax star due to salary and contract issues that extend until 2027.
Since joining Man Utd in 2022, Antony has yet to prove himself. After 54 appearances across all competitions, the Brazilian winger has only scored eight goals. This season, the 23-year-old player hasn’t even scored a goal and has faced issues with his playing style. Many fans believe he tends to engage in flashy dribbles without creating meaningful chances and often engages in unnecessary confrontations with opposition players. Off the field, Antony has also faced personal issues. In September, he had to miss several matches to address allegations brought forward by three women.
In addition to Antony, Man Utd is grappling with offensive problems involving Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund. Rashford, who scored 30 goals in 56 matches last season, has suddenly lost his form, netting only one goal in 14 games this season. Meanwhile, the Danish newcomer Rasmus Hojlund, has yet to score a goal in the Premier League.
Gabriel Barbosa gained recognition when he scored 56 goals in 154 matches for Santos between 2013 and 2016. However, during his European stint with Inter and Benfica from 2016 to 2018, the 27-year-old forward only scored two goals. Upon returning to Brazil, Barbosa regained his confidence, scoring an additional 27 goals in 53 matches for Santos and 153 goals in 265 matches for Flamengo. In 2019 and 2022, he helped Flamengo win the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious club-level competition.
In addition to Barbosa, Man Utd is also keeping an eye on Ivan Toney, the Brentford striker who is currently serving a suspension due to illegal betting. Toney is set to return in January 2024. Man Utd is also considering a move for Victor Osimhen, the top scorer in Serie A last season, who plays for Napoli.
Currently, Man Utd is in eighth place in the Premier League, with 18 points after 11 rounds. The “Red Devils” are six points behind the top 4 and nine points behind the league leaders, Manchester City. After a 0-3 home defeat to Newcastle on November 1st, Man Utd was eliminated from the League Cup. They also risk being eliminated from the Champions League group stage, sitting in third place in Group A after three matches.
