The Man United manager believes the signing of Noussair Mazraoui can help unlock Antony’s potential.
Manchester United Football Club could still do with a few more signings during this window. Erik ten Hag may have to sell before he can buy, due to the fact that the Red Devils are now toeing the line in regard to complying with FFP and Premier League spending rules.
Among the next areas the club could look to invest in is right-back. Diogo Dalot has done an excellent job out there, though he needs help.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been heavily linked with a move away from the Theatre of Dreams and he would need replacing.
Over the last day or so, the name who is being touted to fill that void is Noussair Mazraoui. The latest update in that saga comes from The Times (subscription required).
It’s once again stated that United are looking to sign a right-back, with Mazraoui available for somewhere around the £20m mark. However, Wan-Bissaka will have to be sold first.
What’s interesting is that Ten Hag believes the signing of the 26-year-old full-back can help ‘unlock’ the potential of Antony.
The Brazilian started in front of Mazraoui during his Ajax days, with the duo forming an excellent combination down that side.
Antony has come in for heavy criticism recently, as he hasn’t really lived up to his massive price tag ever since making the move to Manchester.
Synergy between the right-winger and right full-back is key to any success. Both have to be on the same wavelength in terms of attacking and defending, while Mazraoui and Antony seem to have that telepathy that Wan-Bissaka and Antony do not.
It’s all well, and it’s good to believe Mazraou would help make Antony better, though I struggle to see how he beats out Dalot for the starting job regularly.
Do you think Noussair Mazraoui’s arrival would help Antony perform better? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
Just because Antony and Mazraoui did well for Ajax, does not mean they would work well for United. Antony is the problem, and has been since he signed for United. In that respect, I hope that United buy a right wing back for the job he does, not to supplement the poor performance of another.
It is a shame that Wan-Bissaka is to be sold, as he offers United the defender that Dalot is not; United would not have won the FA Cup had Dalot been playing right back in the final.