Report: Manchester United eye former Tottenham standout as potential replacement for Antony, who has made significant progress
Manchester United are reportedly considering Marcus Edwards as one of their top targets for the summer transfer window. The club is expected to undergo a major reshaping after the season, with underperforming players unlikely to be given another chance. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a 25% stake in the club, has expressed his desire to implement significant changes at United. He has been critical of the team’s recruitment strategy in recent years, where inflated fees were paid for mediocre players. United manager Erik ten Hag has also faced criticism for his recruitment strategy, as players like Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Sofyan Amrabat have failed to live up to expectations. Replacement options are already being considered.
One player linked with a move away from United is Antony, who has reportedly been offered to Saudi Arabian clubs in an attempt to generate interest. United has reportedly identified Marcus Edwards as the potential replacement for Antony. The 25-year-old forward, who previously played for Tottenham, has impressed at Sporting, scoring 21 goals and providing 22 assists in 93 appearances. United sees him as a “reasonable solution” to their attacking problems, and it is believed that an offer in the region of £30 million would be enough to secure his signature. Edwards is also versatile, capable of playing in different positions in the final third.
Edwards has been linked with a return to the Premier League in recent years, with Tottenham even considering re-signing their former academy graduate. Edwards left Spurs in 2019 due to limited opportunities for first-team football. He joined Vitoria de Guimaraes in Portugal before moving to Sporting. The potential arrival of Edwards as a replacement for Antony would show that no player is too big to be offloaded by Ratcliffe, considering Antony was a player heavily supported by Ten Hag when he was signed in 2022.
