3 ways Man Utd could line up with Antony as winger joins Erik ten Hag’s project
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Ajax for the signing of long-term target Antony.
The Brazilian international will become the club’s fifth signing of the summer and take their spending past the £200million mark once he has completed a medical and finalised personal terms with the Red Devils. His arrival will give manager Erik ten Hag, who managed Antony at Ajax, several fresh options when it comes to choosing how to line up his side.
Predominantly used as a winger by Ten Hag at Ajax, Antony played in a deeper wide position for boyhood club Sao Paulo and has also been deployed behind the striker for his national team.
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With that in mind, here are three ways that United could line up after Antony joins Ten Hag’s Old Trafford revolution.
Antony on the right
Despite starting in a 4-3-3 for their season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion, United have since lined up in a 4-2-3-1 in their three matches since.
With back-to-back wins, this formation appears the most likely approach for Ten Hag this season and would allow for Antony to play in his preferred right wing position.
That would allow Bruno Fernandes, who has captained the side for the last two matches, to play in attacking midfield. Ten Hag would also be able to choose between Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on the left as well as Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial up front.
Antony as a left winger
The arrival of Antony is set to give Ten Hag an embarrassment of riches when it comes to his attacking options.
By moving Antony to the left flank, he can bring Rashford in on the right to provide an alternative to his England team-mate Sancho.
Meanwhile, depending on the opponent, rotations can also be made elsewhere in attack between the likes of Ronaldo, Martial and Anthony Elanga.
Antony behind the striker
Despite only playing as a winger under Ten Hag at Ajax, Antony also has experience playing in a central role for both Brazil and Sao Paulo.
Deploying the 22-year-old as either directly behind the striker or in an attacking midfield role will give United the option to drop Fernandes alongside Casemiro or Eriksen in the centre of midfield.
It also gives Ten Hag the chance to line up with an exciting front four of Rashford, Antony, Sancho and Martial.
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