Man Utd transfer deadline day LIVE: Latest on Martin Dubravka and Frenkie de Jong as clock ticks (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United could add to their five signings so far this summer on transfer deadline day. Though Erik ten Hag has claimed the club's business is likely done, the Dutchman did also hint the Red Devils will be 'alert' to any opportunities that arise. A deal for Martin Dubravka is expected to be announced today, while the Red Devils haven't entirely given up on Frenkie de Jong.
After a slow start, Manchester United have gone on to enjoy a productive transfer window. Tyrell Malacia was the first player to arrive back in July, with the Netherlands international turning down interest from Lyon in order to move to Old Trafford.
Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen then followed with the pair, who are familiar with Ten Hag's methods and philosophy, arriving from Ajax and Brentford. United have since recruited Casemiro from Real Madrid, having cooled interest in De Jong a fortnight ago.
And Antony has also moved to the Premier League, with the Brazil international arriving from Ajax in a massive £84million deal - a fee that makes him the club's joint-second most-expensive signing of all time.
Antony has revealed he played football on the streets of Brazil growing up, with the United new boy set to bring his streetwise skills to Old Trafford.
“I played in my community, I lived in a favela, I lived there until I started playing professionally at Sao Paulo,” he said.
“People wouldn't believe that after seeing me on TV I'd be going back home to the favela at full-time. I didn't have the means to leave.
“My memories are playing barefoot as I didn't have any boots, playing on the yard with my friends, from afternoon ‘til evening playing football there.
“They are happy memories, I'm not embarrassed to share them.”
Speaking to United’s official website, Antony revealed he’s gone through ‘a lot’ in the years prior to moving to Old Trafford.
“A long story. I went through a lot, a lot of difficult moments in my life,” said the forward, whose new shirt number isn’t yet known.
“I know that this will be another challenge. I went through a lot in the past, no football boots, nothing to eat, 3 or 4 in the morning bailing water out of my house as it had flooded.
“They were very difficult times but I went through it all with a smile.
“I’m certain it was all worth it as I'm reaping the rewards now for what was planted in the past.
“Those moments have contributed to everything I'm now experiencing. I have another challenge now and a lot of stories to tell you, I'll tell you more another day.
“I feel honoured to be here after everything I went through in the past. Today I can see it was all worth it.”
Manchester United new signing Antony has opened up on his move to Old Trafford - revealing he thanked Erik ten Hag for banking on him.
Speaking to club media, he said: “[I feel] really, really, really grateful and happy.
“I embraced him just now and thanked him in person for believing in my signing.
“I was really excited and looking forward to coming here and putting on this shirt. I'm grateful for the faith and confidence from Erik, not just Erik but all the directors here at Manchester United.
“I feel really grateful and happy and rest assured I will repay this faith on the pitch by giving 100 per cent.”
Manchester United advised Erik ten Hag from making any more ‘Ajax’ signings after deals for Antony and Lisandro Martinez, it has been claimed.
According to journalist Achraf Ben Ayad, United stepped in to intervene and advise Ten Hag against making any more acquisitions that have links to his old club.
“Man United officials 'advised' coach Ten Hag not to increase the number of 'Ajax players' after signing two players, when Dest's option became ruled out,” he said on Twitter.
Sergino Dest had been a target.
But the USA international is now primed to join AC Milan on loan instead.
Obviously, Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd is unlikely.
And BritishGambler have the player at 1/6 to stay at Barcelona, with a move unlikely at 4/1.
A spokesperson said: ‘Within the last 24 hours, we have seen over 80 per cent of bets on Frenkie de Jong to remain with Barcelona.
“Betting had previously been predominantly on De Jong to make the switch to Manchester United, but the heavy betting on him to remain at Barcelona would suggest that both Manchester United and Chelsea are going to miss out on signing him.
“The odds of De Jong staying have tumbled to 1/6, with Manchester United odds moving out to 4/1, suggesting that De Jong’s future still lies with Barcelona.”
John Murtough has also spoken out following Antony’s arrival.
And the United supremo is looking forward to seeing how the Brazil international performs under Erik ten Hag’s guidance.
“Antony is one of the most exciting young talents in European football and has exactly the right profile for the attacking, dynamic team Erik is building,” he said.
“We have been especially impressed by his desire to join Manchester United, and to be part of a long-term project to get the club back to the levels of performance we all expect.”
Antony won’t be involved tonight as United face Leicester in the Premier League (8pm).
United have now confirmed the £84million arrival of Antony.
And the Brazil international, speaking to their official website, is raring to go at Old Trafford.
“This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world.
“I’m thankful to everyone who has believed in me, especially my family, and all my coaches and team-mates, because I could not have got here without them.
“Playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax was perfect for me and my development.
“His style of football and coaching brings out the best in me, and I am excited by what he has told me about his plans and ambitions in Manchester.
“My time at Ajax was fantastic and I will always be grateful for the trust they put in me, but now I am ready for the next challenge, and I can’t wait to join my new team-mates and play my part in bringing success to Manchester United.”
Speaking ahead of United’s match with Leicester to club media, Ten Hag hailed the arrival of Antony.
"We signed him the first time he was in Europe and we supported him to find his way,” he said, opening up on their time together at Ajax.
“From the first moment, he really impressed in terms of his football qualities and as a person.
“He’s a fighter and someone who has a real willingness to win games, I like that. He showed that from the first moment in Amsterdam, from the first game with the winning goal.
“That is what he always contributes to the team – a fighting spirit who makes actions and I expect the same from him here in Manchester."
Man Utd transfer deadline day LIVE: Erik ten Hag has hailed Antony deal (Image: GETTY)
Moving away from United transfer news, and the Red Devils are in action against Leicester tonight.
And Mikael Silvestre thinks Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo should stay on the bench for the showdown at the King Power Stadium.
"You know in football form comes and goes, at the moment it’s all positives, attacking and defensively,” he told Bettingexpert.
“A clean sheet against Southampton away from home, one goal, and they scored two against Liverpool."
"Unless you need to rotate because it’s the rhythm of games. You need to freshen up the legs and the players to be fully fit. Maybe that could be the reason why there would be a change."
"Otherwise, in terms of performance, the team is winning so I don’t see any reason why we could see Harry and Cristiano back in the starting lineup."
Cristiano Ronaldo has pushed to leave Manchester United throughout the bulk of the summer transfer window.
Yet Erik ten Hag has insisted the veteran will be staying put.
"Several times, yes,” he said when asked if he’d spoken to the United forward.
“We are on the same page. [He is happy to stay] otherwise he wouldn't be here."
And he added:
"From the start we said we planned with him [Ronaldo], we are happy with him, he's happy to be here, and we want to make the season a success together."
Man Utd transfer deadline day LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to leave on deadline day (Image: GETTY)
United are expected to announce the signing of Martin Dubravka from Newcastle today.
The Red Devils have been in the market for a back-up goalkeeper ever since their decision to loan Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest, especially with Tom Heaton approaching the twilight years of his career.
And the Slovakia international is set to be officially confirmed after undergoing a medical at the club.
United are primed to loan Dubravka for the next year.
But they’ll be able to land the shot-stopper on a permanent basis for £5million if he plays a certain percentage of their matches.
Good morning everybody and welcome to Express Sport’s Manchester United transfer news LIVE blog.
Erik ten Hag claimed on Friday that the club’s business is done. However, the Dutchman also suggested the Red Devils would be ‘alert’ to any possibilities that come their way.
“I think so, for this window it will be the end,” Ten Hag said.
“But when there is opportunity you have to be always alert.
“Aaron will stay in. This squad we will go from September to minimum January.”
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