The ongoing police investigations surrounding Manchester United winger Antony may impede any actions the club intends to undertake regarding the sale of the Brazilian international this summer.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and São Paulo Civil Police are still probing allegations of assault against Antony made by his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, allegations vehemently denied by the player.
Antony is understood to be a player Manchester United is willing to offload this summer, although the club is not actively seeking to offload the £85.5 million-rated winger at this juncture.
However, this stance may alter depending on the future of manager Erik ten Hag, who strongly advocated for Antony’s recruitment from Ajax in September 2022, but the 24-year-old has not lived up to expectations at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, even if Manchester United is determined to cut ties with Antony, sources indicate that the assault allegations against him will pose a significant obstacle to any potential sale this summer—unless the case is dropped or resolved beforehand.
Antony and his representatives have long maintained his innocence and vowed to fight to clear his name. They remain confident that the player need not submit to any questioning and will be exonerated.
Cavallin, a renowned DJ, alleges she was assaulted by Antony multiple times in Brazil and the United Kingdom between June 2022 and May last year.
She was interviewed by Greater Manchester Police in October last year, a few weeks after Antony voluntarily participated in an interview with GMP when he was not under arrest and was subsequently released without bail.
If Manchester United manages to offload Antony, they might have to accept a staggering £85.5 million fee, which they paid to Ajax, making him the second most expensive signing in the club’s history and the 13th costliest player ever.
The Brazilian player has not started any Premier League matches since December 30, having only scored one goal and provided a solitary assist since May.
Ten Hag acknowledged that the allegations against Antony affected his form earlier in the season but asserted last month that he needed to “strengthen” the player’s presence on the field and begin implementing a plan.
Academy graduate Omari Forson was handed a start in the 1-2 defeat to Fulham last month, with Antony not being brought on until the 99th minute.
For his part, Antony has pledged to refute the criticisms against him and demonstrate why he was brought to Old Trafford.
The future of another controversial forward, Mason Greenwood, could significantly impact squad reshaping efforts.