Man Utd 'sanction Antony sale' as £86m flop left with just two transfer options

Manchester United have informed Antony and his representatives that he is no longer part of the club's plans and can leave in the January transfer window, according to reports. The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour with Erik ten Hag, who pushed for his arrival in 2022 and is now down the attacking pecking order.

Ten Hag sanctioned an £86million transfer to bring Antony with him from Ajax two years ago, the second most-expensive signing in United's history behind Paul Pogba.

But the Brazilian winger has failed to settle at Old Trafford, registering just 12 goals and five assists in 86 appearances.

Antony's underwhelming performances have opened the door for Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to all move ahead of him in Ten Hag's thinking.

He has started just once in all competitions this season, and time to make things work in Manchester appears to be running thin.

According to , United have already sanctioned Antony's exit this winter to improve their chances of finding an interested party.

The Red Devils No. 21 had the opportunity to leave in the summer, with suitors emerging in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

But he was determined to stay put and fight for his place at the start of an exciting new era under INEOS' stewardship.

Yet, Antony's desperately limited role across United's 12 matches this season is said to have made him accept that his situation is unlikely to improve.

He has played just 27 minutes of Premier League football through two substitute cameos and has been an unused substitute in eight matches.

The report adds that United want a permanent sale in January. However, they acknowledge that a loan is more likely due to Antony's £200,000-a-week contract, which still has two years left to run.

It's claimed that Saudi Arabia and Turkey remain options on the table, while there is also interest in Qatar.

However, Antony's most probable destination is reportedly a return to his homeland, Brazil, as Flamengo circle, or his former club, Ajax.

There is still a chance for Antony to reverse his fortunes before the new year amid a hectic schedule involving games in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup.

He'll undoubtedly be growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of opportunities, though.

And plans could internally be underway amongst figures within the club and his camp to lay out an escape route in three months' time.