Man Utd's Antony has already been told real reason Liverpool deal didn't happen - 'Idiot'

Brazilian winger Antony has been a shadow of his former self since joining Manchester United for £82million but he could have ended up playing for their rivals Liverpool instead

Manchester United winger Antony was told his “idiotic” behaviour scuppered a transfer to Liverpool.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has undoubtedly been a failed transfer for United up until now, having joined the Red Devils from Ajax for an eye-watering £82million in 2022. With Erik ten Hag, the manager who signed him, now no longer at the helm, Antony's future at Old Trafford is in doubt.

It marks a fall from grace for a player who was one of Europe’s most sought-after talents just three seasons ago. During the 2021/22 campaign, the 24-year-old’s skills and eye for goal made him a top target for clubs like United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, and PSG.

United ultimately secured his signature - but things might have panned out differently if Mohamed Salah had left Anfield earlier that summer. The Times reports that former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp considered Antony as a potential replacement for the Egyptian, who was in the final year of his contract and remained undecided about signing an extension.

Salah ended up staying put after landing a hefty £350,000-a-week contract, thereby ending Liverpool's interest in Antony. But the Reds may have decided against signing him anyway, especially after his antics during an Ajax game in March 2022 against Feyenoord.

Antony celebrated scoring the dramatic last gasp winner by removing his shirt, which led to the referee showing him a second yellow card and receiving a one-match ban. After the game, Dutch pundit Rene van der Gijp commented that Antony's behaviour was a bad look and might even ward off potential suitors.

He asked on Vadaag Inside: "Suppose we are in the stands together as a scout for Manchester City or Liverpool... and we are looking at Antony, what do you think we would say when we come back on Monday?

"We will not take that. You don’t see a Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane or Mohamed Salah doing this. Then you can say, 'He is young'. But it can also get crazier."

Van der Gijp's colleague, Wim Kieft, felt the same way, adding: "He is not that young anymore, because he has been doing this for two years. Such a boy cannot be calmed by a coach, in the end.

"Ten Hag will of course never say that Antony behaves like an idiot, but he thinks so. In general, this behaviour is addressed in the locker room. Then someone says, 'Hey, what are you doing?'"

Since joining United, Antony's output has been lacklustre, having scored just five goals in 56 Premier League appearances. He has found minutes even harder to come by this season, managing just one start across all competitions.

Antony faces a pivotal juncture under new manager Ruben Amorim. It offers him a chance to start afresh, but if the Portuguese is unconvinced, he may find himself transfer listed.

In Amorim's first training session at Carrington on Monday, the manager guided the players through a 3-4-3 build-up drill. Antony was spotted playing as a right wing-back, suggesting that a new role could be in store for the Brazilian.

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