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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder slams 'strange' Antony behaviour before Manchester United transfer

Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder has confirmed that Antony could be fined by the Dutch giants after going on strike in an attempt to force through a move to Manchester United.

The 22-year-old is on the brink of completing a €100million (£84.4m) switch to Old Trafford. He visited the club's Carrington training base on Monday and the deal is set to be wrapped up in plenty of time before Thursday night's 11pm transfer deadline.

Antony has been a leading target for United for much of this summer, with manager Erik ten Hag having long since pinpointed him as an ideal player to solve United's right-wing issue. However, United were forced to cool their interest earlier in the summer because of the eye-watering price tag Ajax slapped on his signature.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag is finishing what Ralf Rangnick started with Manchester United changes

United, though, rekindled their interest in the Brazilian international a fortnight or so ago — resulting in Antony going on strike in an attempt to force through a move. He has refused to participate in training and was left out of Ajax's last two matchday squads, missing the wins over Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht.

Asked if Antony could be fined for his actions, Schreuder, speaking to Ziggo Sport, said: "Absolutely. I don't think it's good that it's possible within our club.

"If you're Ajax, it's just bad that this happens. I've talked about it with him. If you're disappointed for a day or two, I understand, but at some point you're a professional.

"Then I said: 'I will continue with the guys who are there'. At a certain point you get angry about it, like… what are we doing? Looking at the total picture, that frustrates you as a trainer, but also how you stand in the world.

"Then I think, 'you’re just a player, you just have to do your thing'. But my personal feeling is that it's just bad."

As well as describing Antony's decision to go on strike as "strange," Schreuder has questioned the prices of which players are being bought and sold at in the modern era.

"Today, the amounts are crazy," added the Ajax boss. "Barcelona paid €115million for [Ousmane] Dembele, Manchester United also paid more than €100million for [Jadon] Sancho.

"Then you can pay that for him [Antony] too. Are the players worth it? No. But it will be paid."

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