Paul Scholes insists that Manchester United have to ‘pay over the odds’ for players

Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand believe their former team’s summer pursuit of Ajax winger Antony is dragging on because of over-inflated transfer fees, with clubs having to ‘pay over the odds for players’.

Speaking pre-match on BT Sport ahead of United’s Premier League visit to Southampton on Saturday, Scholes, Ferdinand, and Peter Crouch gave their verdict on the Brazilian.

Antony is desperate to secure a move to Old Trafford but has been hampered in his efforts by Ajax’s refusal to accept United’s proposed fee, despite bidding £76.2million.

United manager Erik ten Hag worked with Antony at Ajax and is eager for the deal to happen

Scholes insisted that paying huge transfer fees for unproven players has become the norm for English sides while questioning whether the Eredivisie winger is good enough for the Premier League. 

’Of course, they will take advantage of any club, we have seen it all summer with Chelsea paying over the odds for players,’ said Scholes.

’Now I feel a bit for the lad, he obviously wants to come to Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world. He is at a good club in Ajax, don’t get me wrong.

’But this is a proper football club where he will be seen around the world and he is a player that obviously the manager likes, he’s had him before.

’I feel a bit sorry for the player, but we will see what happens.

’The one I would say is, is he good enough? I don’t think he scored that many goals or made that many goals in the Dutch league.

Paul Scholes questioned whether the Brazilian is good enough for the Premier League

‘It will be a lot harder over here. The Dutch league is much easier league than here,’ added Scholes.

Ex-teammate Ferdinand supported United’s move for the right-sided player as he admitted that the Manchester side have a problem with their current crop of wingers all preferring to play on the left.

Ferdinand backed new United boss Erik ten Hag to build a team that ‘suits his character’ and stated that they will have to go ‘above and beyond’ if they are to land the Brazilian star. 

’I think they have done that all summer, we have seen that with [Frenkie] De Jong. That has dragged on all summer because that is a player that he has identified and that he wants.

’He [Erik ten Hag] said that he wants to build a team that suits his character and personality and this player suits that as one of those players that can do that.

’That right-wing position, I know Jadon Sancho is there, is an area of concern as most of our wingers seem better on the left-hand side,’ added Ferdinand.

‘But at the end of the day, what will be will be. Ajax don’t really need to sell, they are not under any financial pressure to sell. 

Manchester United have had an offer of £76.2million rejected by Ajax for winger Antony

Antony has been left frustrated with Ajax due to the transfer having not yet materialised

‘Manchester United are going to have to go above and beyond what they first expected to pay,’ he said.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch gave his thoughts on the transfer battle between the two clubs and echoed his fellow pundits sentiments, explaining that Antony would bring a new-look to United’s attack. 

’I like him as a player, I agree with Scholesy, I think it is harsh when you judge players on the amount of money these days.

Rio Ferdinand stated United will have to pay ‘over and beyond’ their previous estimation

’It is a lot of money definitely, but I think he has loads of ability and the fans will love him. He has a bundle of tricks and will open things up for them.

‘They [Manchester United] have bought well, they got Casemiro who is a natural born winner and Antony will give them that something different,’ he added.