Antony scores in Manchester United debut as Ronaldo cheers

Manchester United reaped an immediate reward from its transfer acquisition this week of Antony from Dutch club Ajax for a reported 95 million euros ($94.5 million).

The Brazilian star winger scored in the first half of his first match for the Red Devils on Sunday against Arsenal, collecting a feed from Marcus Rashford entering the right side of the box and burying the ball with his left foot at the far post in the 35th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo applauded from the bench as the 22-year-old Antony celebrated his debut score with his starting teammates on the Old Trafford pitch. Ronaldo later came on as a substitute to replace Antony in the 58th minute.

Rashford scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-1 win for Manchester United.

The 37-year-old Ronaldo had sought to depart Man U to join a side that had qualified for Champions League play, but the Portuguese legend will remain in Manchester until at least January after the summer transfer deadline came and went without a move.

Antony’s addition marked Man United’s second-most expensive transfer in club history behind the 105 million euros spent to land Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016. The move reunites him with Man U manager Erik ten Hag, his former manager with Ajax.

“This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world,” Antony said earlier in the week.   “Playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax was perfect for me and my development. His style of football and coaching brings out the best in me, and I am excited by what he has told me about his plans and ambitions in Manchester.”