Manchester United’s heavy spending over the past couple of years has been massively underwhelming, with their funds often being splashed on players not up to the demands of the Premier League.
The Red Devils have spent over £700m on new additions on new additions in the last three years, but it’s safe to say those signings have failed to live up to expectations.
Ruben Amorim is the latest man to try and get the best out of the current crop of players, but like those before him, he’s struggled to be a hit at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old has only achieved a 40% win rate since taking the reins back in November last year, losing 20 times in his 48 outings across all competitions.
However, he rapidly made up his mind about one player, quickly offloading him after his appointment and allowing him to move on to pastures new.
Antony’s failure to impress at Man Utd
Back in the summer of 2022, United supporters were hugely excited by the arrival of winger Antony from Ajax, with the Brazilian joining the club for a fee in the region of £86m.
However, their excitement looked to be worthwhile, subsequently scoring on his debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford – but that was as good as it got during his spell in England.
He racked up a total of 96 appearances for the Red Devils, but only managed to find the net on 12 separate occasions – eight of which came in his first season.
The 25-year-old only made nine appearances under Amorim, only two of which came from a starting position, before joining Real Betis on a season-long loan in the second half of 2024/25.
In his 26 appearances for the LaLiga outfit, Antony registered 14 combined goals and assists, helping them reach the Europa Conference League final – before suffering a hammering at the hands of Chelsea.
He would rejoin the side on a permanent basis this summer, subsequently ending his three years in Manchester, but also seeing the hierarchy losing a huge chunk of their investment.
The board agreed to offload him for just £21.5m including add-ons, but it has allowed one other player to follow his role and potentially lead the club to success in the near future.
The Man Utd player who looks like Antony was supposed to be
There’s no denying that the deal for Antony will go down as one of the worst in United’s history, with huge money being wasted on a player who was ultimately not up to the level required of the Premier League.
The Brazilian is only part of the reason why the club have been in such a dire situation, but he was once seen as the player to drag them out of the hole – something which he evidently failed to do.
It’s crucial that the hierarchy use such a deal as a stark reminder of the risks they face when spending big on new additions within the transfer market.
However, the board did spend big in the transfer market during the recent window, splashing a fee in the region of £71m on the signature of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
The Cameroonian international netted 20 goals for the Bees during the 2024/25 campaign, subsequently leading to his move – but the similarities to Antony are there for all to see.
Both are left-footed talents who like to cut inside off the right-hand side, but there’s real hope that the new addition can impress and take the side to new levels – something which Antony failed to do.
Mbeumo, who earns £150k-per-week, has already hit the ground running in Manchester, scoring twice in his opening six appearances for the club – including in the Premier League victory against Burnley.
His underlying stats further highlight the talent he’s already demonstrated, with the 26-year-old desperately needing to continue on his current trajectory in the North West.
Mbeumo, who’s been labelled a “superstar” by one analyst, has registered 1.3 shots on target per 90, along with 1.9 chances created per 90 – able to go alone or find a teammate within the final third.
Games played
6
Goals scored
2
Pass accuracy
80%
Touches in opposition box
6.3
Chances created
1.9
Dribble success
60%
Fouls drawn
1.7
Shots on target
1.3
He’s also completed 60% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst also notching 6.3 touches in the opposition box per 90, constantly offering a nuisance to the opposition defenders.
It may only be early days for Mbeumo at Old Trafford, but the signs are all positive for the attacker, hopefully continuing on his current path and leading the side to future success in various competitions.
Should he continue thriving, he would be a phenomenal addition at £71m, subsequently allowing the fanbase to forget about the disastrous deal to land Antony a couple of years ago.
