Rio Ferdinand names three challenges Antony must overcome at Manchester United

29.08.2022 - 23:23 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United fans that Antony may take time to bed into the Premier League.

The winger is set to sign for United in deal worth €95million plus a further €5million in possible add-ons. He won two Eredivisie titles with Erik ten Hag at Ajax but Ferdinand says the price tag could weigh heavy on him despite his past achievements in the Netherlands.

The former defender likened the situation to that of Jack Grealish, who secured a £100m move from Aston Villa to Manchester City last summer. Speaking on FIVE, he said: “You look at Grealish last year, he wasn't the same Grealish that played at Aston Villa, so it can weigh heavy.

READ MORE: Antony at Carrington ahead of United transfer

“He won the league so he's happy so it doesn't matter, but sometimes when players come in with the big transfer fees, they don't play with the freedom that they had before, and that can be a couple of things.”

He added: “It can be the price tag weighing heavy and the pressure and the attention of being under the spotlight, a new environment and club and culture that they're not used to, and a team set up that they're not used to.

“Those three things are big things that come into play when you sign but you have to have the personality and character to deal with all that, that's a big thing.”

Ferdinand also pointed out that United will be getting a player who is yet to reach his peak, which is something to be mindful about when judging his debut campaign. He added: “People forget as well, you're spending that money on Antony and he's not the finished article.

“You're buying potential really at 22 years old to go in and perform, so don't expect that he's going to come in and be absolutely fire from the first day."

R