Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has dismissed rumors linking Newcastle United with a move for Manchester United flop Antony. Robinson described Antony as “lightweight” and suggested that he may struggle to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the Premier League. Despite Manchester United spending over £80 million to sign Antony from Ajax in 2022, the Brazilian has struggled to make an impact, scoring just five league goals in two seasons. While there were rumors of a potential move away from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, Antony remains focused on reviving his career at the club. Robinson believes that Newcastle United, who are competing for similar goals as Manchester United, would not see Antony as an improvement to their squad.
Robinson’s assessment of Antony’s suitability for the Premier League is based on his observation of the player’s playing style. He believes that Antony takes too much time on the ball, which is not conducive to the fast-paced nature of the league. Robinson suggests that leagues like the Dutch Eredivisie, La Liga, or Ligue 1 may be better suited to Antony’s playing style. However, he does acknowledge that there is a good player within Antony, but his struggles at Manchester United make it unlikely that Newcastle United would consider signing him.
Antony’s reduced role in the Manchester United team has led to speculation about his future, with Fenerbahce reportedly showing interest in the player. However, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has suggested that the club would “love” to offload Antony. Ferdinand believes that the club’s recent signings, including Antony, still have value in the transfer market even if they don’t work out. He points out that in the past, Manchester United has struggled to recoup money for players with high wages and transfer fees.
Overall, the opinions of Robinson and Ferdinand provide contrasting views on Antony’s future at Manchester United. While Robinson believes that Antony is not suited to the Premier League and would not be an improvement for Newcastle United, Ferdinand suggests that Manchester United would be open to selling the player if the right offer comes along. As the January transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Antony and whether he will be able to turn his fortunes around at Manchester United.