Antony must prove Manchester United didn't sign the wrong Ajax player

For a manager often criticised for only signing players he knows, there is a great irony in the argument that Erik ten Hag should have brought another player with him from Ajax.

It's a hard one to ignore, though. Or perhaps the debate should not be whether he should have signed another but rather whether he might have signed the wrong one.

Ten Hag remains a big fan of Mohammed Kudus and the 23-year-old was on their list of attacking options had they failed in a move to sign Rasmus Hojlund over the summer. Kudus has experience leading the line, having done so for Ghana at the World Cup last summer, but in reality, he is better suited to the right-wing role, where he can cut inside onto his stronger left foot and worry the opposition goal. Sound familiar?

READ NEXT: Ten Hag could unleash new partnership tomorrow

LUCKHURST: Why Ten Hag is in a more secure position than previous managers

The irony is that Kudus' development last season was in part aided by the playing time he got for Ajax following Antony's high-profile move to Old Trafford.

The Brazilian has been better in recent weeks, but he is still weighed down by that enormous £85.5million as well as the general expectation and scrutiny of leading the line for United.

It is far too simple to just say that Kudus would have done a far better job than him on the United side, and Antony might well have performed better had he gone to the London Stadium instead.

Ten Hag will have gained priceless insight working alongside the pair as to why Antony was better-suited to the move last year, and there is no guarantee Kudus would have hit his current heights at United, particularly had he arrived in English football a year earlier.

But those numbers are hard to ignore.