Andy Cole has compared Man United's transfer spending to shopping at 'Primark and Zara' as the club struggle to get a return on significant investment in the squad.
Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 games for Man United, highlighted the club spending £85.5m on Antony as an example.
The Brazilian winger has underwhelmed since joining the club from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
Antony has yet to provide a goal or assist in 12 matches for the club this season.
Cole recently claimed the Brazilian would drive him 'absolutely mad' if he were still a striker at the club, insisting he would never receive the ball from Antony.
Speaking to Betfred, Cole highlighted how Brighton have received a greater return on their investment in Kaoru Mitoma, despite paying a lower price.
'I sometimes have to ask myself what Antony's strengths are? He doesn't take players on, he doesn't create chances and he doesn't score goals. So what are his strengths?' Cole said.
'We paid a massive amount of money for him. When you look at a club like Brighton who signed [Kaoru] Mitoma for £2.7 million, then you have to ask what market are Manchester United shopping in when Brighton pays that for Mitoma and we end up paying £86 million for Antony?
'Are we not shopping in the same market? It's like Primark and Zara; you think by paying more to shop at Zara, the quality will be better, but it turns out to be the same as Primark, so you end up paying more for the same thing.
'I look at the transfers we've made over the last 10 years and we've spent a hell of a lot of money on players that other clubs would have paid less for, so is it a case of Manchester United tax? We can't continue doing that.'
United have spent a whopping £1.4billion on transfers since Sir Alex Ferguson left his role as manager and retired a decade ago.
Current incumbent Ten Hag has spent almost £400m since joining the club last summer.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders and near neighbours Manchester City.
Reports have circulated Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to sell £194m worth of talent in January to raise funds at the club, after the British billionaire's investment into the club is confirmed.
Antony is reportedly among the players who could be sold by Man United, as well as Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.
Fokbeklps
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Must Ask the manager why sign him ? It’s the manager fault. Sack him. Always spent stupid amounts of money on useless players. M.U will regret if they don’t sack him ASAP
Raocmnosty
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Spent 1.4 billion but when comes to criticising spending u say Mancity and yet u have nothing to point 👉 at .... let let's to respect the the pitch work not in social media blogger users bra bla bla bla
JosephObosi
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Antony shouldn't be a starter yet he needs someone to learn under like Ajax he has neres
Sexymore147
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u talk about Antony but he was so fantastic wea he was en en ajax dint want to sell only dat Antony wanted united even barca en Liverpool wanted dat Antony I don't know why players after signing for united they flop but they be gud players before joining united look at Sancho, van de beek, Sanchez,Micki, now Antony did u watch Antony wen playing for ajax hahaha all knew well dat he was agem now yr talking much coz he has not worked out well for united but he z not de first player to flop instead of blaming these players let's look out for de reasons why they flop wen they come to united
Antony wasn’t fantastic at Ajax if you watch them play…Neres plays from the bench in the same wing with Antony and Neres score more goals and has more assists and create more chances
kg-4991
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Kind of true [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Tipcdertuy
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u talk about Antony but he was so fantastic wea he was en en ajax dint want to sell only dat Antony wanted united even barca en Liverpool wanted dat Antony I don't know why players after signing for united they flop but they be gud players before joining united look at Sancho, van de beek, Sanchez,Micki, now Antony did u watch Antony wen playing for ajax hahaha all knew well dat he was agem now yr talking much coz he has not worked out well for united but he z not de first player to flop instead of blaming these players let's look out for de reasons why they flop wen they come to united
Sofreshh
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All new signing under egg head are Sunday league players
Edge6
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This is Hilarious 😂