'He Has Great Quality' - Erik ten Hag Sparks Reunion With Manchester United's Big-Money Flop

Brazilian star Antony (right) has been praised by Erik ten Hag (inset). Photo: Imago

'He Has Great Quality' - Erik ten Hag Sparks Reunion With Manchester United's Big-Money Flop

Joel Omotto 14:00 - 18.07.2025

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has waxed lyrical over one of his former players who he feels is world class despite heavily disappointing at Old Trafford.

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has weighed in on the possibility of working together again with one of his former players in Germany.

Ten Hag spent over two years at Old Trafford before he was sacked in October 2024 following a poor start to the season, having escaped the axe after an eighth place Premier League finish in the 2023-24 campaign.

One of the Dutchman’s failings was signing a host of players from his former club Ajax Amsterdam who turned out to be big disappointments with Brazilian winger Antony one of them.

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Antony joined United for £86 million alongside Ten Hag in the summer of 2022 but did not set the Premier League alight and by January this year, he was shipped out on loan to Spanish side Real Betis.

He is now back at Old Trafford but is among players coach Ruben Amorim has told to find new clubs and not training with the rest of the squad ahead of next season.

What Has Ten Hag Said About Antony?

Antony and Erik Ten Hag worked together at Old Trafford | Imago

With Ten Hag having been installed as the new coach of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen to replace Xabi Alonso, he was asked if he would consider bringing Antony to Germany and his response appeared to open the door for a future reunion.

“He has great quality. I signed him twice. He was like a son to me, he still is a son to me," Ten Hag told German outlet Bild as quoted by GOAL. “We're not interested in him at the moment, but we'll see what happens in the future."

Antony is on the market with United having initially valued him at £20-30 million although recent reports claim the Red Devils have raised the asking price closer to £50 million.

Betis, Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and Premier League sides Newcastle United as well as Brighton and Hove Albion are among the clubs being linked with an interest in the Brazilian winger.