The Antony scenario has already infuriated Manchester United supporters. He was signed by the team for about 100 million euros from Ajax before of the 2022–2023 season, but he hasn’t been able to have much of an influence, particularly in 2023–2024.

Man United’s options at forward are frustratingly limited, with Rasmus Højlund too raw to be a serious threat at striker and Jadon Sancho on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

After appearing to turn the corner in 2022–2023—Marcus Rashford has been a huge letdown, and brilliant Alejandro Garnacho is still too young to be a true star player every week.

Manchester United need to sign a new 9 and another winger, but it appears manager Erik ten Hag wants to go the Ajax route again, potentially spending big money on an unproven young player.

Sky Sport Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg reports ten Hag wants to push Manchester United to sign Ajax striker Brian Brobbey in the January 2024 transfer window. There is mutual interest that remains from United’s pursuit this past summer.

Brian Brobbey could be an expensive gamble for Man Utd

However, Plettenberg reports that Ajax have no intention of selling Brobbey right now. Since he is under contract through the 2026/27 season, there is absolutely no urgency from the Dutch Eredivisie giants to sell the forward.

That means Brobbey could be onerously expensive. Ajax already held out for 95 million euros on Antony before getting Man United to agree to the deal, since the club wanted to support ten Hag.

It stands to reason that Ajax would do the same to their former coach again, driving the price sky-high to see if the Red Devils will cave. But with Jim Ratcliffe set to take the club over and ten Hag on a short leash, it’s less likely United will give in.

After the Antony debacle, Manchester United are probably far less willing to trust ten Hag’s judgment on players, even if Brobbey is having a strong season with 9 goals and 4 assists in 16 starts in the Dutch top flight.

United don’t want to repeat the Antony mistake, meanwhile they already have a raw striker in Højlund coming off a more impressive 2022/23 season than Brobbey in a more competitive league. Further, Brobbey couldn’t cut it in the Bundesliga.

Still 21, Brobbey is a talent worth watching closely, yes, but Man United can’t get roped into another overpay situation. Brobbey is a superior talent to Antony, though that won’t stop fans from worrying about comparing the two situations.

Former editor of The Real Champs and Old Juve, covering Real Madrid and Juventus