Antony of Ajax
Antony of Ajax has been linked with Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

Paul Merson believes Manchester United transfer target Antony is no better than Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

The Red Devils are in the market for a forward this summer as they aim to reinforce their options in attack.

Reports have claimed the club have had an €80million bid rejected for Ajax star Antony and they are set to submit a new offer.

But Arsenal legend Merson isn’t convinced Antony is any better than United’s primary options on the wing – Sancho and Rashford.

‘They talk about Antony but he’s no better than Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho, although he hasn’t really done anything since signing. You’d be buying someone again who has been playing against bang-average full-backs,’ Merson told the Daily Star.

‘I can do what Sancho is doing at the moment and I’m 54. When was the last time you saw him beat a player? He doesn’t run with the ball, he takes a few touches inside and lays it backwards.

‘These players are getting paid top, top dollar. They are supposed to be elite and the people upstairs are also getting paid fortunes to find them.’

Conor Coady poses for a photograph after signing for Everton
Conor Coady should’ve been signed by United, says Merson (Picture: Getty Images)

Merson also thinks that United should have signed Conor Coady before the defender made the switch from Wolves to Everton on loan this summer.

‘I think they should have gone and got Conor Coady from Wolves,’ Merson added.

‘United need to play three at the back and Ten Hag has got to change it up.

‘There is a saying in life, “Keep on doing the same things and you’ll get the same results”. That’s what United are doing at the ­moment. They drop [Harry] Maguire, play Raphael Varane, then he gets dropped for Victor Lindelof and they still keep getting smashed.

‘Coady is an international player who can play in the middle of the three. He’s a talker, which is why he’s in the England squad because he’s an organiser in the dressing room, and he’s not scared.’

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