Ajax coach breaks silence on Antony's future amid Manchester United transfer interest

Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder admits he wants to work with Manchester United target Antony next season, but has stopped short of confirming that the player will remain at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

United are hoping to lure Brazilian forward Antony, 22, to Old Trafford after he formed a key part of the Ajax team under Erik ten Hag. Signing the forward is towards the top of United's shopping list, with the club also setting their sights on a centre-back and at least one central midfielder during their summer rebuild.

Antony scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions last season. United want to sign him as part of a double swoop alongside Ajax teammate and Netherlands starlet Jurrien Timber.

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However, while Schreuder — the man who's replaced Ten Hag in the Amsterdam dugout — has hinted that Timber will stay put to continue his development, there was less conviction in his comments when pressed about Antony's immediate future with the Eredivisie giants.

During an interview with ESPN Netherlands, manager Schreuder said: "Clearly, we want to keep the boy. He has a contract until 2025, but I'm not about that [any individual players].

"I'm about the squad and I really want to work with him. He knows that and the club know that too."

In addition to Timber and Antony, newly-appointed Ten Hag wants to sign Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong and free agent Christian Eriksen, who has spent the last six months at Brentford. United are in the market for a new back-up goalkeeper as Dean Henderson edges closer to a loan switch to Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest.

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