Man Utd scouts 1st valued Antony at just £25M before they later forked out £85m

Manchester United previously valued underperforming Brazilian winger Antony at just £25m, before eventually signing him for £85m, according to reports.

The club's recruitment and transfer policy has been heavily criticised in recent years with the department widely-expected to be overhauled once Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club is confirmed.

Antony joined United in last year's summer transfer window as he was reunited with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at the 13-time Premier League champions.

Eyebrows were initially raised over the near-£100m figure that was splashed on Antony in the closing days of the transfer window, and his performances since have failed to justify the eye-watering fee.

Antony has scored just eight goals in 62 appearances for United since joining and is yet to score or register an assist this season.

It has now been revealed a previous valuation of £25m was placed on Antony during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's managerial reign at the club, as reported by The Athletic.

Club scouts had been monitoring the Brazilian during his time at Ajax and believed the fee resembled a player who should be available for under £30m.

However, Ten Hag's arrival largely focused recruitment efforts on his former club with Antony's name gaining universal approval, while defender Lisandro Martinez also joined from the Dutch side in the same summer.

Transfer negotiations for the 23-year-old saw United initially refuse to pay more than £60m, before eventually breaking their previous appraisal and splashing out over £20m more on the player as 'desperation' set in during the final days of the transfer window.

Antony signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of another year, with the player doing his best to push through the transfer by refusing to train with Ajax's first-team while previous negotiations were ongoing.

He helped United lift their first piece of silverware under Ten Hag as they beat Newcastle in last year's Carabao Cup final, but his form has come under heavy scrutiny.

His arrival made him the second-most expensive player in the club's history - with former midfielder Paul Pogba still claiming top spot after re-joining from Juventus for £89m - and has so far failed to nail down a starting role.

Ten Hag is still enduring a nightmare right-wing scenario with his options limited to either playing Antony, youngster Facundo Pellistri, or Marcus Rashford on his unfavoured wing.

Jadon Sancho was Antony's most prominent challenge for the position before he was exiled from the team.