Antony 'no longer pushing for move to Manchester United'

Ajax attacker Antony would reportedly now 'think twice' before joining Manchester United despite being desperate to move to Old Trafford earlier in the transfer window.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with the Red Devils over the summer, with Erik ten Hag said to be keen to bring the attacker with him to Old Trafford.

Antony scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists in 33 outings in all competitions for Ajax during the 2021-22 campaign, while he has started this season in impressive fashion, providing one goal and two assists in two league appearances.

"No idea (if Ten Hag will call him over a move)... he has to discuss this with my agents, I am focused on here. What will come will come, we will see. At the moment I feel good here," Antony told NOS when asked about his future after contributing a goal and an assist in Ajax's 6-1 victory over Groningen in the Eredivisie last weekend.

"Like I said, I feel good here. I love this country. I give everything for this club, every minute, every second. And when I don't play I like to enjoy the beach and city. I am loving this city and this club."

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A recent report claimed that Man United will wait until the latter stages of the transfer window to make another move for Ajax, having allegedly seen at least one offer rejected earlier this summer.

However, according to De Telegraaf, the South American is no longer pushing for a switch to Old Trafford and is happy to remain in Amsterdam for the 2022-23 campaign.

Antony, who has another three years left to run on his Ajax deal, has represented his current side on 82 occasions since arriving from Sao Paulo in July 2020, contributing 24 goals and 22 assists in the process.

Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder recently said that the club were not planning to sell any other important players this summer, having already allowed the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Sebastien Haller, Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch to leave.

"We have sold a certain amount of players and I am expecting nobody else to leave. We talk on a daily basis. It would be very bad for us if we would lose another starting player," Schreuder told reporters.

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Man United remain determined to bring at least one attacker to the club before the end of the transfer window, with the club's desire increasing following back-to-back losses at the start of the new campaign.

The Red Devils opened their 2022-23 Premier League season with a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before suffering a 4-0 loss at Brentford last weekend.

A recent report claimed that Ten Hag wants five players to arrive before the deadline, including a wide forward and a centre-forward, with Cristiano Ronaldo potentially being allowed to move on.

Sporting Lisbon are allegedly currently in discussions with both Man United and the 37-year-old over a potential return to the club where he started his professional career.