Manchester United could field an entire side that speaks Spanish/Portuguese, rather than English, if they complete the signing of Ajax winger Antony.
The 22-year-old was missing from Ajax’s squad for their 2-0 victory over FC Utrecht on Sunday afternoon and an £84 million transfer is close.
He’s been one of Erik ten Hag’s priority targets this summer and his arrival will be the third of United’s recruits to hail from South America and second from Brazil.
Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are from Argentina and Brazil respectively and it means United’s foreign contingent is growing.
In fact, Antony would give United the option of playing an XI which doesn’t speak English, but sister languages Spanish or Portuguese. Portuguese is the primary language of the country of Brazil and Argentina’s is Spanish.
Andy Mitten on X (formerly Twitter): “If MUFC sign Antony, a full first team of Spanish/Portuguese speakers could be fielded – even with Telles and Bailly out on loan. Two of the coaches also speak Portuguese. / X”
If MUFC sign Antony, a full first team of Spanish/Portuguese speakers could be fielded – even with Telles and Bailly out on loan. Two of the coaches also speak Portuguese.
David de Gea is an accomplished Spain international, while in defence Raphael Varane can speak Spanish after ten years with Real Madrid.
Martinez’s native language is Spanish and Diogo Dalot speaks Portuguese. Victor Lindelof was signed from Benfica and he lived in Portugal for five years.
In midfield it’d be Fred and new signing Casemiro, who have lost just one game when starting together for the Brazil national team.
An attacking trio of Antony, Bruno Fernandes [Portuguese] and teenage sensation Alejandro Garnacho [Spanish] would then support Cristiano Ronaldo [Portuguese and Spanish].
