Andy Cole thinks Antony is at risk of being dropped by Erik ten Hag and has condemned Manchester United for overpaying for the winger.

Antony joined United in a €100 million (£85.6m) deal from Ajax last year but has failed to live up to his price tag during his time at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian player hasn’t contributed any goals or assists in 12 games for United this season, prompting Cole to question why the team is overlooking the opportunity to sign wingers like Kaoru Mitoma. Mitoma, who joined Brighton from Kawasaki Frontale in 2021, cost only £2.7m.

‘If I played with Antony, it would drive me mad. As a centre-forward, if you’re playing with someone like Antony and he doesn’t get to the byline and put crosses in, then you’re going to be pulling your hair out,’ Cole told Betfred.

‘Strikers need crosses, especially Rasmus Hojlund who hasn’t scored in the Premier League yet. When Antony cuts in on his left-foot, nine times out of ten he’s going to shoot. The only chances Hojlund’s going to receive from Antony is if the opposition goalkeeper parries any of his shots from distance.

‘I sometimes have to ask myself what Antony’s strengths are? He doesn’t take players on, he doesn’t create chances and he doesn’t score goals. So what are his strengths?

‘We paid a massive amount of money for him. When you look at a club like Brighton who signed Mitoma for £2.7 million, then you have to ask what market are Manchester United shopping in when Brighton pays that for Mitoma and we end up paying £86 million for Antony? Are we not shopping in the same market?

‘It’s like Primark and Zara; you think by paying more to shop at Zara, the quality will be better, but it turns out to be the same as Primark, so you end up paying more for the same thing.