Manchester United star Antony criticized and told to 'return home'

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes that winger Antony should end his disappointing time at Old Trafford and return to Ajax, his former club.

The Brazil international joined United on the recommendation of Ten Hag over two years ago in a £85million move from Ajax but has failed to live up to expectations.

Antony scored his only goal of the season so far in the 7-0 EFL Cup thrashing over Barnsley last week and has been afforded just two substitute appearances in the Premier League so far.

Tentative reports have credited Newcastle and Crystal Palace with a move for the Brazillian in January, but Parker believes Antony would be best served leaving the English game behind entirely and returning to Ajax where he first broke through.

‘I’m not seeing Newcastle or Palace being interested in him unless they’re going to virtually be given him by United,’ Parker told bonuscodebets.co.uk. 

‘They may see value in that. I just don’t want to see him turn out like [Donny] van de Beek.

‘It would be best for him to go back home, and his home is Ajax. That’s where he had a lot of success and where his name was made. I’m not seeing Newcastle, and Palace financially doesn’t work.’

Antony’s previous campaign was hampered with off-field issues relating to accusations of domestic violence but Parker believes that the Brazillian’s failure to adapt to the league is more rooted in his lack of physicality and technical prowes.

‘I just don’t think he’s good enough,’ he added. ‘He hasn’t got the physicality, and it’s less to do with muscle and size and more to do with presence and strength comes from within, but he doesn’t play that way.

‘He plays like someone with a small stature, rounded shoulders, and doesn’t stand up with belief in himself.

‘For someone with a left foot, he’s got one of the worst left feet I’ve seen, and left-footers are normally always talented.

‘They’re either really talented or they’ve got a rocket of a left foot, and he just lacks any strength in his left foot. He struggles with power.

‘Technique he struggles with. It just hasn’t worked, and I don’t see anything materialising for him now.’

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