Man Utd target Antony misses Ajax game as Schreuder hopes Dutch giants resist 'absurd' offers

By Sports Desk August 21, 2022

Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder remains optimistic about keeping Manchester United target Antony, despite the unsettled winger sitting out a 1-0 win at Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.

Antony starred in consecutive title-winning campaigns under Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam, and the new United boss is reportedly keen on a reunion with the Brazilian as he bids to reverse the Red Devils' poor start to the season.

Ten Hag became the first United manager in over a century to lose his first two games at the helm when his team suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Brentford, and he is looking to make several additions ahead of the closure of the transfer window.

United have already reached an agreement to sign Real Madrid enforcer Casemiro, and they have been tipped to make a big-money move for Antony after seeing Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho struggle in the wide positions.

Speaking after Ajax maintained their perfect start to the Eredivisie campaign, head coach Schreuder indicated he hoped the Dutch club would not be tempted to sell.

He told ESPN: "I want Antony to stay, so I don't assume he will be sold.

"The money we are talking about is absurd these days. [But] we've already sold five or six base players. I don't like it if we sell another player. I think we are very strong financially."

The former Barcelona assistant then took aim at Antony's suitors, adding: "We play Champions League, I don't think United do."

 

Antony hit double figures in each of his first two seasons with Ajax, scoring 11 goals in the 2020-21 campaign after joining from Sao Paulo before netting 12 times in all competitions last term.

Former Tottenham attacker Steven Bergwijn scored Ajax's only goal on Sunday, after Schreuder confirmed in a pre-match interview that Antony was left out due to not being in the right state of mind to play.

"I spoke to him. He has indicated that he does not feel 100 per cent to play," Schreuder said.

"I only want to have players in the selection who are 100 per cent with Ajax. I am very clear about that. That is the most important thing for me."

Speaking to De Telegraaf on Saturday, Antony refused to rule out a move to Old Trafford and backed Ten Hag to improve United, revealing the Red Devils boss had been "super important" in his development.

Related items

  • Dundee 1-2 Celtic: Forrest brace restores Hoops' three-point lead at SPL summit Dundee 1-2 Celtic: Forrest brace restores Hoops' three-point lead at SPL summit

    James Forrest scored twice as Celtic regained their three-point cushion at the Scottish Premiership summit with a narrow 2-1 victory over Dundee.

    Rangers had applied the pressure earlier in the day with a 2-1 win at St Mirren, moving Philippe Clement's side level on points with the Hoops.

    Although, Celtic did not twitch with Forrest volleying them ahead on the half-hour mark, before doubling their lead in the 67th minute.

    Antonio Portales pulled a goal back for Dundee seven minutes later with his first league strike of the season, but the visitors held on to pull clear at the top once more with five games remaining.

    Data debrief

    Returning to the starting line-up today, Forrest's double separated the sides as he found the net more than once in a game for the first time since scoring a hat-trick against Hibernian in October 2022.

    Celtic have now won their last 10 league matches against Dundee and are unbeaten in 43 meetings overall since a 2-0 defeat in May 2001, only enjoying a longer such streak against Dumbarton (50).

  • Dundee 1-2 Celtic: Forrest braces restores Hoops' three-point lead at SPL summit Dundee 1-2 Celtic: Forrest braces restores Hoops' three-point lead at SPL summit

    James Forrest scored twice as Celtic regained their three-point cushion at the Scottish Premiership summit with a narrow 2-1 victory over Dundee.

    Rangers had applied the pressure earlier in the day with a 2-1 win at St Mirren, moving Philippe Clement's side level on points with the Hoops.

    Although, Celtic did not twitch with Forrest volleying them ahead on the half-hour mark, before doubling their lead in the 67th minute.

    Antonio Portales pulled a goal back for Dundee seven minutes later with his first league strike of the season, but the visitors held on to pull clear at the top once more with five games remaining.

    Data debrief

    Returning to the starting line-up today, Forrest's double separated the sides as he found the net more than once in a game for the first time since scoring a hat-trick against Hibernian in October 2022.

    Celtic have now won their last 10 league matches against Dundee and are unbeaten in 43 meetings overall since a 2-0 defeat in May 2001, only enjoying a longer such streak against Dumbarton (50).

  • Rybakina eases past Sherif to reach Madrid Open last 16 Rybakina eases past Sherif to reach Madrid Open last 16

    Elena Rybakina cruised past Mayar Sherif in straight sets to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Sunday.

    World number four Rybakina rarely looked like being troubled by Sherif, easing to a 6-1 6-4 triumph, winning 22 of her 26 first-serve points on her way to victory.

    The 2022 Wimbledon champion broke Sherif's serve twice in the first set to gain control of the match, before holding her serve five times in the second to ensure victory.

    Also into the last 16 in Madrid are Yulia Putintseva and Daria Kasatkina, who beat Caroline Dolehide and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova respectively, both in straight sets. However, world number seven and reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova is out after she was upset by Mirra Andreeva, losing 7-5 6-1.

    Data debrief

    In reaching the Madrid Open last 16, Rybakina again showed her class on clay. Her victory over Sherif saw her become only the fourth player in the last 10 years to win 14 straight WTA matches on clay, alongside Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek.

    Additionally, Rybakina's 475 winners at WTA-1000 events in 2024 are 112 more than the next best, Danielle Collins with 363.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.