Antony is ‘not good enough’ to play for Manchester United, says Jaap Stam with the £85m Brazilian winger only made to look brilliant at Ajax by ‘mediocre players’ in the Dutch league

• Antony has struggled to make much impact since arriving at United last year
• Brazilian cost £85m but hasn’t a single goal or assist to his credit this season
• Will Marcus Rashford EVER be the real deal? Listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

Jaap Stam doesn’t believe under-performing £85million winger Antony is good enough to play for Manchester United.

The Brazilian has struggled to make much impact at Old Trafford since manager Erik ten Hag pushed to sign him from his former club Ajax last year.

The 23-year-old scored eight goals and contributed three assists in his debut season with United but doesn’t have a single goal involvement to his credit so far this term.

United legend Stam, who watched Antony’s performances in his native Netherlands closely, is sceptical the winger is up to the job.

‘From what I’ve seen from Antony, he’s not good enough this level that we’re looking for at United,’ Stam told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.

Jaap Stam has criticised Manchester United’s under-performing £85million winger Antony 

The Brazilian looks dejected as United crashed out of Europe following defeat to Bayern 

Former United defender Jaap Stam doesn’t believe Antony is good enough to play for United

https://youtube.com/watch?v=a7zcPZfVs1o%3Frel%3D0

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‘Because you’re also looking for a player who can have a difficult time and struggle when he comes in, but [we can see] where he is making progress to get to that level.

‘When you’re looking at Antony now, at this moment, you don’t see where he can make the progress to make the next step in the Premier League, to be up there with the top wingers who can make a difference.’

Antony worked under Ten Hag at Ajax and the United boss pushed hard to seal the transfer after the Dutch club held out for more money.

But with Antony and United in general misfiring, Stam has questioned the wisdom of Ten Hag’s decision.

‘In Holland, he did okay but it wasn’t like he was the best player in Holland,’ he said.

‘He did okay for Ajax but then again, they’re playing in a league with a couple of good players, and the rest of the league – with all respect – are mediocre players.

‘They’re [Ajax] always dominating so he could always do his trickery, put the crosses in and play a one-two.

‘But at this level – and that’s down to recruitment together with the management – they need to make the right choices to bring the players in who can really make a difference in the Premier League.

‘I was surprised by Antony’s fee.’

Antony has yet to score a goal or contribute an assist for United so far this season

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Antony scored 18 goals and supplied 14 assists in 57 outings for Ajax during two-and-a-bit seasons playing for the club.

It came as Stam admitted he fears for his compatriot Ten Hag following United’s miserable European exit.

Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich left them bottom of Group A and out of European competition entirely post-Christmas.

It is just the latest setback in a miserable campaign that has seen United struggle for consistency in all competitions.

Watch the full Stick to Football episode HERE. 

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