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Antony Manchester United debut: Will he play vs. Arsenal in Sunday’s Premier League showdown?

As the most expensive signing by any club in the 2022 summer transfer window, it’s safe to say that expectations will be high as far as the impact that Brazilian Antony can have on Manchester United in 2022/23.

The 22-year-old was the exclamation point on a summer during which new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag attempted to upgrade the squad in the hope of injecting new life into a club coming off its worst Premier League finish.

Alongside bringing in Christian Eriksen and Real Madrid’s Casemiro, Ten Hag raided his former club Ajax, for Lisandro Martinez and Antony.

Martinez has enjoyed a solid first month in Manchester, but Antony faces the prospect of performing under the pressure of a £90.5 million ($104.5m) price tag.

Antony’s arrival is United’s second highest ever transfer outlay, behind Paul Pogba’s £94.5 million return to the club from Juventus in 2016, and he will be eligible to make his club debut at home to Arsenal on Sunday, September 4.

MORE: Antony’s contract, salary and shirt number with Man United

When did Antony sign with Manchester United?

United confirmed a transfer fee was agreed with Ajax on August 30, but the final deal was only confirmed on Transfer Deadline Day (September 1).

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract, with the option for an additional 12 months at Old Trafford, as Ten Hag looks to build his attack around the former Sao Paulo forward.

Antony’s paperwork was not completed in time to feature in Thursday’s 1-0 Premier League away win over Leicester City, but his work permit has since been completed.

MORE: Why did Man United pay so much for Antony?

Has Antony played for Ajax in 2022/23?

Despite the speculation linking him with United earlier in the summer, Antony continued to feature for Ajax in the opening weeks of the 2022/23 Dutch season.

Ten Hag’s replacement as Ajax manager, Alfred Schreuder, kept Antony in the starting XI, and the player scored a goal in his team’s Johan Cruyff Shield defeat to PSV Eindhoven. He also logged two full 90 minutes in Ajax’s opening two Eredivisie games.

But with negotiations heating up, Antony had not featured as much of late. His last Ajax match action came in the 6-1 win over FC Groningen back on August 14.

MORE: Most expensive signings of the 2022 summer window

Will Antony debut vs Arsenal?

Ten Hag has confirmed that Antony has begun training with the club, but he will only have three sessions under his belt prior to United’s next game.

Ten Hag is not about to bow to pressure to start him against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the weekend’s biggest Premier League match. If he starts on the bench, United fans will be confident of catching a glimpse of their new star at some stage during the match.

The Dutchman was asked about his plans for Antony ahead of the Arsenal game, and he is keeping his options open.

“We have to see,” Ten Hag said. “He did today [Thursday] his first training — individual. We have two team sessions and we will see for Sunday.”

MORE: All the summer 2022 Deadline Day moves

Man United debuts under Ten Hag in 2022/23

Christian Eriksen

Ten Hag has made six signings in the summer transfer window, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravaka joining on loan hours after the Antony deal was confirmed, and the Dutch manager has proceeded with caution so far when it comes to club debuts.

Martinez and Eriksen (above) both started in United’s 2-1 opening weekend defeat to Brighton, and the duo has been part of every Premier League starting XI to this point.

 

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