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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Man Utd shirt numbers available to Antony as he prepares for big-money transfer

Antony is set to be denied a dream shirt number if he completes a move to Manchester United in the coming days.

United are understood have agreed a £85million transfer fee with Ajax for the Brazilian, 22. The Dutch champions didn't want to sell Antony, who is on strike trying to force the move and missed their 2-0 away win against Utrecht on Sunday afternoon, but have now reluctantly agreed to part ways with their star.

Antony was brought to Ajax by United manager Erik ten Hag two years ago. Since then, he's scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in 57 Eredivisie games - winning two league titles and one cup. He's also broke into the Brazil senior team, winning nine caps to date.

Antony wears the No.11 at Ajax but it's unlikely he'll be able to take that at Old Trafford as it's occupied by Mason Greenwood, although the United striker is currently unavailable for selection.

Another preferred choice for Antony is the No.39, the shirt he wore at first club Sao Paulo and during his maiden season at Ajax. Yet that's worn at United by Scott McTominay, who's sported the jersey since he broke into the first-team squad five years ago.

Antony could take the No.7 if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the club this month. The Portuguese superstar wants to quit Old Trafford to play Champions League football and his future remains unclear. Antony wore the No.7 at Sao Paulo during the 2018/19 campaign.

Antony's No.11 is not available at Manchester United (Getty Images)

Do you think Antony will be a success at Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments below!

But if Ronaldo stays, Antony will most likely have to pick a number he's never worn in his professional career. A realistic option is the No.15, which was last worn by his compatriot Andreas Pereira. The midfielder completed a move to Fulham earlier this summer.

The No.15 was made famous at Old Trafford by Nemanja Vidic, who formed a legendary defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand during Sir Alex Ferguson's era. The number was also worn by Jesper Blomqvist, a member of the treble-winning side of 1998/99.

Another option is the No.21, which was vacated by Edinson Cavani at the end of last season. Ander Herrera and Dan James have previously worn that shirt. Other options include the No.24, No.26, No.27, No.30, No.31, No.32 and No.35.

Ajax are don't want to lose Antony after selling the likes of Sebastien Haller, Nicolas Tagliafico, Perr Schuurs, Ryan Gravenberch and Lisandro Martinez earlier this summer, with the latter joining Ten Hag at Old Trafford. Yet £84m might be too much to turn down.

"The Antony situation hasn't changed compared to last week," Schreuder told ESPN on Sunday afternoon. "We discuss it internally every day, also with the player. He reports himself at the club and we speak. But I want to focus on the players we have here, for now Antony is not important."

Speaking after United's 1-0 away win against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, Ten Hag said: "If a good player is available, we will strike because we want to strengthen the squad. We will be alert until the last second of the window." United are now understood to have agreed a deal worth £85m to bring the forward to Old Trafford.

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