Ruben Amorim will soon have a transfer window to deal with (Picture: Getty)
Ruben Amorim has been urged to finally get rid of one of Erik ten Hag’s most disappointing Manchester United signings when the transfer window reopens.
Having joined during the November international break, Amorim is slowly getting to grips with his new squad and the task at hand.
The former Sporting Lisbon coach drew his opening game against Ipswich Town and will take charge of his first game at Old Trafford when United face Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
While a hectic Christmas schedule awaits, Amorim will soon have the opportunity to further shape his new squad when the transfer window reopens on 1 January.
Reports suggest that Amorim will not be given a warchest to rebuild the squad in January but he could raise some funds by selling some squad players.
And former Red Devils winger Lee Sharpe has urged the Portuguese coach to finally cut ties with Antony who has endured a wretched few seasons since arriving at Old Trafford in a £85million move from Ajax.
Despite a bright start to his Old Trafford career, the 24-year-old scored just four goals in his first season and managed just one contribution last season in a campaign hampered by off-field issues relating to accusations of domestic violence.
Antony has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season (Picture: Getty)
This season, Antony scored his only goal in the 7-0 EFL Cup thrashing over Barnsley last week but has been afforded just two substitute appearances in the Premier League.
The Brazillian was an unused substitute for Amorim’s first game and Sharpe believes it’s high time for the club to cut their losses and move the forward on.
Amad Diallo has jumped above Antony in the pecking order (Picture: Getty)
‘Antony’s been very disappointing for Manchester United since day one,’ he told TG Casino. ‘We’ve seen flashes of his ability, but nothing ever consistent with what he was showing at Ajax.
‘When you consider the formation that Ruben Amorim will be playing, I think he will struggle to get a game.
‘For me, if United can get a half-decent price in January and get him off the wage bill, that would allow Amorim to buy one or two other players that would suit the system well.’
Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation means more competition for the limited forward positions, and Sharpe believes that Amad Diallo’s impressive display against Ipswich will make it even harder for Antony to get regular minutes.
‘There were obviously some question marks about whether he’d be good enough defensively, but he’s probably one of the more industrial players out of the four wingers Manchester United have at their disposal,’ Sharpe said.
‘He understands the game well and I don’t think he’s ever let anybody down whenever he’s been in the team. He very rarely gives the ball away and he’s very powerful for his size – we saw his pace when he was going past players.
‘He’s got the energy but he’s also got the intellect, so I think he can be a bit of a surprise package in that position for United.’
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