Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder has confirmed that Antony was left out of his plans for this lunchtime's clash with Sparta Rotterdam because he was not in the right frame of mind to be involved.
The Brazilian is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United ahead of the transfer window closing in less than a fortnight's time and has reportedly gone on 'strike' in an effort to push a deal through. It was reported that he did not participate in training on Friday and Saturday and that he and his representatives are pushing Ajax to negotiate a deal with United.
The Reds, who are on the cusp of finalising the signing of fellow Brazilian Casemiro from Real Madrid, had earmarked Antony as one of their top targets at the start of the window but they cooled their interest as a result of Ajax's financial demands. They consider the 22-year-old as one of their star assets and do not want to lose him.
