Manchester United have told one of Erik ten Hag’s biggest signings he can leave the club in January, just one day after sacking the Dutchman.
Ten Hag, 54, was finally dismissed on Monday after months of speculation over his future as manager.
The former Ajax boss was sacked in the wake of Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium.
It comes just months after United handed Ten Hag a new contract following their FA Cup triumph at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim, 39, is the overwhelming favourite to replace Ten Hag, with the Portuguese in ‘advanced talks’ to take over at Old Trafford.
ESPN report that United hope to appoint Amorim before Sunday’s crunch Premier League match against Chelsea in Manchester.
That means caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was placed in charge of first-team duties following Ten Hag’s sacking, is likely to only oversee just match – Wednesday’s Carabao Cup round of 16 tie against Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s departure raises questions over the future of several of his signings.
United have spent in the region of £600 million on players since Ten Hag took over in 2022, with his most expensive signing Antony spectacularly failing to live up to expectations.
The Brazilian, 24, joined United in a £82m move from Ajax in 2022, making him the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history after Paul Pogba.
But he has gone on to manage just 12 goals in 87 appearances for the Premier League club.
The winger lost his place in the team under Ten Hag and has managed just 27 minutes in the league so far this season, while he is currently sidelined after being stretchered off in last week’s Europa League draw with Fenerbahce.
talkSPORT claim the Brazil international has already been told he can leave Old Trafford when the transfer window reopens in January.
His former club Ajax are said to be among the clubs who have shown interest in re-signing the player, along with Brazilian side Flamengo.
Antony has been told he can leave United (Image: Getty)
However, United may have to take a ‘huge hit’ to get the Brazilian off their wage books, with the winger reportedly earning £200,000 per week at Old Trafford.
Speaking back in August ahead of the start of the season, Antony said he hadn’t given up his hopes of making it at United.
“I demand a lot of myself,” he told The Athletic. “I have a lot of objectives, ones I write down for myself and many for this new season.
“I definitely need more goal participations and to score more goals; it’s something I demand from myself. Rest assured, you’ll hear the name Antony in relation to goals and assists.”