According to BD Cricket, Manchester United’s attacking struggles this season are drawing increasing scrutiny. The club has lacked a consistent goal scorer up front, and two players in particular—Jadon Sancho and Antony—have come under fire. Sancho famously fell out with manager Erik ten Hag, leading to his loan move back to Borussia Dortmund. Antony, once considered Ten Hag’s favorite, has become a symbol of United’s underperforming front line, having failed to register a single goal or assist in 21 appearances this season. As the saying goes, “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”
However, there may be a silver lining for United. BD Cricket reports that Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Shabab is actively looking to attract high-profile players from Europe’s top five leagues. United sees this as an opportunity to offload both Sancho and Antony in a joint deal valued at €100 million. Encouragingly, Al-Shabab appears willing to take on both players.
Sources suggest that Manchester United football director John Murtough met with senior officials from the Saudi league during the FIFA Club World Cup. The relationship between the two parties is said to be positive, and a potential agreement could be on the horizon. When something becomes a burden, it’s often best to let it go—and that seems to be the approach United is taking with its misfiring wingers.
Intriguingly, Al-Shabab also hopes to bring in José Mourinho as their new head coach after his recent departure from AS Roma. They plan to build a title-contending squad next season under his leadership. While Sancho and Antony may have disappointed in the Premier League, they are still in their prime and have shown flashes of brilliance in the past. With Mourinho at the helm, their chances of redemption could be very real.
Mourinho’s ties to European football history run deep. Before his managerial stardom, he worked at Barcelona as a translator and assistant coach. He later led Porto to a Champions League title—one of football’s most remarkable achievements—before creating a dynasty at Chelsea. Success followed at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, where he famously challenged Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Though his recent stints at Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma didn’t mirror his past glories, Mourinho still delivered silverware and brought structure to turbulent teams. Sometimes the most meaningful companionship is quiet but loyal. Had Barcelona appointed him instead of Guardiola, European football history might have taken an entirely different path—one with fewer of the thrilling rivalries fans now cherish.
Whether Sancho and Antony can rise from the ashes under Mourinho in Saudi Arabia remains to be seen, but BD Cricket suggests their story is far from over.