It’s just February and even thou the June transfer window is months away, new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already on the move. Manchester United is in a need of a reboot and he British billionaire didn’t invest over 1.5 billion dollars just to sit and get his dividends, like Glazer owners. Instead, he decided to root out the only thing United is missing – a good transfer policy. The Red Devils have no problem with revenues but with player’s recruitment, and things are about to change very quickly. United poked highly capable Omar Berrada from rivals Manchester City to become their newest CEO, and then added Southampton’s director of football, Jason Wilcox. But, unlike with these two executives, United will face a tough opponent, Newcastle United, when it comes to Dan Ashworth. The highly capable Magpies’ sporting director has a strong contract and they won’t let him so easily.Antony – 320 days since last PL goal Firmino – 272 days since last PL goal Firmino’s last PL game was 272 days ago 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/y5aqqTkJGP— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) February 26, 2024 For now, Newcastle is asking around 20 million pounds to release him earlier, otherwise, he will sit in his house and get paid to do nothing until 2026. And while everybody (Ratcliffe included) thinks it’ too much, the latest news coming from England are also confirming why hiring a capable sporting director is worth every penny. It’s about Antony. Brought in for 86 million pounds in 2022, the Brazilian is on the exit door and United won’t even get half of his original price for him, so is Ashworth expensive or not now?Fulham conquer Old Trafford on Super Eagles’ wingsThe Ajax winger came after his boss Eric ten Hag but so far failed to justify his enormous transfer fee, and even his boss cannot and won’t choose him to play just because he was among highly paid players. Antony has started just one of the last eight games – at Newport County in the FA Cup – and was named as a substitute again when United lost to Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday. What’s worse for him was the fact that he barely made it from the bench, even thou United were losing. Teenager Omari Forson got the nod, and three other substitutes came before Antony was given a chance…in the 97th minute!I’ve never seen a worse winger than Antony tbh. Jakub Kiwior is a defender by the way. pic.twitter.com/ycesa5zrb3— • (@_goatnelli) February 26, 2024 So, unless drastically changes from now until May (for example, if he really starts to play like he should), the departure is inevitable. Antony has now gone 20 Premier League appearances this season without contributing a single goal or assist to his team and he is already a subject of many memes, poking at his inefficiency. Surely, allegations of domestic abuse, which he strongly denies took his tool on the player, as he was distracted and spent some time in South America in order to ‘clear his name’, but still, that was months ago. Even Ten Hag had to admit that brining Antony in the 97th minute was not because of his fitness.“It was nothing to do with fitness. He’s fit but we have many options on the right. We have all seen Antony’s form and he has to step up. I see it in training but also Omari Forson and Amad Diallo and Garnacho deserve to play” said the Dutchman after the Fulham defeat.FA CUP – ROUND 5Tuesday 22.30: (1.65) Bournemouth (3.80) Leicester (5.40)22.45: (6.25) Blackburn (4.50) Newcastle (1.50)23.00: (9.50) Luton (6.25) Man.City (1.27)Wednesday 22.30: (1.58) Chelsea (4.00) Leeds (5.90)22.45: (2.65) Wolverhampton (3.25) Brighton (2.75)22.45: (3.25) Nott.Forest (3.45) Man.Utd. (2.20)23.00: (1.60) Liverpool (4.10) Southampton (5.50)***odds are subject to change
