Manchester United winger Antony will remain at Old Trafford until the end of the season, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

There were reports that the £85m signing could join Flamengo on loan during the January transfer window, with Gabriel Barbosa moving in the other direction, but Romano told the United Stand’s YouTube channel there is no foundation to the rumours:

“No, no, in this moment, there is absolutely nothing. The idea is for Antony staying at Manchester United, doing his best for Manchester United. From what I’m hearing, there is no negotiation at all at this point.”

“I think we saw this rumour because both Gabriel Barbosa and Antony share the same agent so I think it was really easy to create that kind of story but, at the same time, there is no negotiation, nothing concrete.”

While Antony is staying, a United teammate is “99.9%” certain to leave the club

Romano also spoke about the future of Jadon Sancho. The 23-year-old has not played since publicly criticising manager Erik ten Hag after being left out of the squad for the game against Arsenal at the start of September. Romano says there is no way back for the player, with his representatives already talking with “multiple clubs” about a transfer in the New Year:

“My expectation is still the same. Jadon Sancho leaving Man United in January and Antony staying at least until the end of the season…”

“The feeling is very clear, Sancho is going to leave. I think there is no way back. I would say it is 99.9% at this stage [that he will go]. Also because his agents are speaking with multiple clubs around Europe. For Man United, the best solution would be Saudi [Arabia], obviously, because they can get some fresh money, that would be absolutely perfect for them but, from what I’m hearing, Sancho is giving priority, at the moment, to European clubs.”

Many will question ten Hag’s decision making

Although it is understandable that the United boss doesn’t want a player in his squad who questions his authority, his falling out with Sancho is ultimately a failure of his man-management skills.

With Antony performing so poorly and still getting game time, supporters will rightly be asking whether the club would be better off keeping Sancho instead.

Is Erik ten Hag to blame for United’s bad form? Watch our pundits debate on Shots!TV here