Edwin van der Sar earned Ajax £86m for Antony. (Image: GETTY)
Edwin van der Sar played a blinder as CEO when he negotiated the £86million transfer of to in 2022, a deal that has since entered folklore as one of the worst ever. And he has since aimed a subtle swipe towards the Old Trafford figures who sanctioned the eye-watering move.
Van der Sar is remembered fondly among United supporters after enjoying six trophy-laden years as the club’s goalkeeper.
The Dutch icon’s reputation blossomed further when he oversaw , Lisandro Martinez and Antony’s switches to Manchester in the space of a few summer months.
However, United have since sacked Ten Hag after their worst-ever campaign, and Antony will spend the second half of the season on loan at Real Betis.
The Brazilian winger managed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for United, cementing his arrival as an expensive mistake the new INEOS-led regime is striving to avoid.
has made it clear that the days of splurging eye-watering sums of money on shirt sellers are over in his quest to fix recruitment.
Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell have arrived to lead recruitment, with Richard Arnold and John Murtough among the high-profile exits. Dan Ashworth has done both.
And while recently explaining what United need to challenge for Champions League football again, Van der Sar praised the new co-owner for putting “good, technical people” into power.
Antony failed to deliver at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
” need consistent performances,” the former Champions League winner told Oddspedia.
“This year getting back into the Champions League is probably not going to happen – the top four is too far away with too many teams in front.
“With a good pre-season and one or two quality signings up front and maybe in midfield, United should be fine to challenge for those positions again.
“In terms of signings, nowadays they have good people on board, technical people. I’m sure they are qualified to get the right people in the door.”
Van der Sar has previously admitted that, while he was convinced by the potential Antony displayed in Amsterdam, United overpaid for the 24-year-old.
“Still young, still potential,” Van der Sar told in November 2022, just months after orchestrating the deal.
“We would have liked to keep him here one year longer — there was not a dire need to sell him, we had money in the bank — but the fee got so high.
“We challenged United to go as far as possible. They have a potential world star.”
Van der Sar resigned from his post at Ajax in May 2023.
He recently visited Craven Cottage to watch the clash between his two former clubs, Fulham and United, and received a warm ovation from both sets of fans.