Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is expected to ignore transfer advice given to him by a former Red Devils player and pursue his own targets.
The Dutchman has been clear from the very beginning of his United reign as to who he wants to bring to Old Trafford during his first transfer window at the helm. The club's main target remains Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen is also high up on the wish list.
From a defensive viewpoint, United remain keen on Ajax central defender Jurrien Timber and his teammate at the Amsterdam Arena Lisandro Martinez. However, the Red Devils face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal for the latter - with the Gunners already submitting two bids for the Argentina international.
There remains speculation surrounding whether United will bolster their attacking line with a new striker to both deputise and challenge Cristiano Ronaldo who remains the club's only real goal threat. Ex-United full-back and two-time Premier League winner Paul Parker recently gave his views on what kind of attacker the club should pursue.
"I think United are going to have to do their homework and they're going to have to find someone who's got enough drive in them, who wants to score goals, who wants to play for Manchester United, who wants to make his name and become a great for Manchester United," Parker told the Express.
"A bit like a Ruud van Nistelrooy. Van Nistelrooy was known as a goalscorer but he made his name, he established himself when he came to a big club like Manchester United at the time and he made it. Manchester United put him up there in the limelight.
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"I don't want to hear [Robert] Lewandowski, Harry Kane and all that. United don't need that. They don't need another 30-plus centre-forward at this moment in time. They just need a workaholic, back to basics as such."
The latest reports are in stark contrast with what Parker is demanding, given it is widely believed that United have given up hope of signing a centre-forward figure in the mould of Van Nistelrooy and instead pursue someone who can operate across the front line.
That figure looks to be Ajax winger Antony, who boasts the kind of versatility that has made him such an appealing proposition to the United hierarchy. Already capped for Brazil, Antony produced a better return in terms of goal contributions than United's very own Marcus Rashford last season in fewer games.
The Dutch giants are holding out for around £70million before they sanction his departure which could make any switch notably more difficult. With that in mind, given the season United have just had and their lack of stellar attacking options - Ten Hag may view it as a worthy price to pay if he can enjoy a reunion with the talented Brazilian.
