In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Premier League, Swedish striker Victor Gyökeres has disclosed the primary reason behind his decision to join Manchester United over Chelsea in what has become one of the most talked-about transfers of the window. The forward’s candid admission during his first press conference as a United player has immediately energized the Old Trafford faithful while raising eyebrows across the football world. Speaking to journalists at Carrington Training Complex, Gyökeres explained that his choice came down to tactical considerations rather than financial incentives or historical prestige. In particular, he highlighted the presence of one specific player in the United squad as the decisive factor.
“The reason why I snubbed Chelsea move to join Man United is because they don’t have a player that can deliver 20+ crosses and final third passes in a match,” Gyökeres stated matter-of-factly. “But with this Man United player by my side, my 40G/A next season is rest assured.” The assembled media instantly perked up, anticipating that the striker was referring to Bruno Fernandes, United’s creative maestro, or perhaps the explosive young talent Alejandro Garnacho. However, Gyökeres’ answer left many journalists scrambling to confirm what they had just heard
In a moment that left the room momentarily silent, Gyökeres revealed that the player he was referring to was none other than Antony, Manchester United’s Brazilian winger who has faced significant criticism since his £85 million move from Ajax in 2022.
“Antony is a special player,” Gyökeres continued, seemingly unaware of the surprise his answer had generated. “His ability to deliver precise, accurate crosses and make those critical final third passes is what every striker dreams of. I’ve watched him play extensively, and I know what he’s capable of creating for me. With him in the team, I’m confident my goal tally will soar.” This endorsement represents a remarkable vote of confidence in a player who has struggled to consistently deliver since arriving in Manchester. While Antony has shown flashes of brilliance, his output has been questioned by pundits and fans alike, making Gyökeres’ assessment all the more intriguing.
When pressed further about his surprising choice, Gyökeres revealed that his decision was based on detailed analysis rather than casual observation. Working with his personal performance analyst, the striker had studied potential partnerships at various clubs before making his final decision.
“People see the highlights and make judgments, but I’ve looked at the underlying numbers,” Gyökeres explained. “Antony creates a high volume of chances that haven’t been converted. His expected assists would be much higher with a striker who makes the right movements. I believe we can develop that understanding quickly.” This analytical approach to his career decisions provides insight into the modern footballer’s mindset. Gyökeres’ transfer wasn’t simply about joining the biggest club or securing the most lucrative contract—it was a calculated career move based on where he believes he can maximize his potential.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who worked with Antony at Ajax before bringing him to Old Trafford, appeared pleased but unsurprised by Gyökeres’ assessment. The Dutch tactician has consistently defended his Brazilian winger despite external criticism.
“Victor sees what we see in training every day,” Ten Hag commented. “Antony has exceptional technical qualities and his ability to create chances is among the best in the squad. We’ve been working on developing partnerships across our forward line, and I believe Victor and Antony could form a very productive connection.” Ten Hag further elaborated that this potential partnership had been discussed during recruitment meetings and was part of his tactical vision for the upcoming season. The manager’s continued faith in Antony, despite calls from some quarters for the Brazilian to be moved on, may now be vindicated if Gyökeres’ prediction comes true.
Chelsea representatives have declined to comment directly on Gyökeres’ remarks, but sources close to the club suggest there is some frustration about the striker’s characterization of their squad’s creative capabilities. The London club had pursued Gyökeres aggressively, viewing him as the clinical finisher their team has lacked. With players like Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and Christopher Nkunku in their ranks, Chelsea believed they had sufficient creative talent to attract the Swedish forward. Gyökeres’ specific critique about the lack of consistent crossing quality has reportedly prompted discussions within Chelsea about addressing this perceived weakness in their squad.
Gyökeres’ bold prediction of contributing to 40 goals and assists in his debut season would represent an extraordinary return for a player making the step up to the Premier League. For context, only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah reached such figures in the previous campaign. However, the striker’s confidence is not without foundation. His record in the Championship was exceptional, demonstrating both scoring prowess and an ability to bring teammates into play. If his assessment of Antony’s creative potential is accurate, United fans may indeed have reason for optimism.
Performance analysts have noted that Antony’s crossing accuracy (37%) is actually above the Premier League average, though his total output has been limited by United’s style of play and his own adaptation challenges. With a specific focus on developing this partnership and Ten Hag’s tactical adjustments to facilitate it, there could be substance behind Gyökeres’ expectations. Manchester United supporters have reacted with a mixture of excitement and bemusement to Gyökeres’ comments. While many are thrilled by the striker’s ambition and confidence, others have expressed skepticism about his assessment of Antony’s capabilities based on what they’ve witnessed over the past two seasons.
Social media has been ablaze with discussions, with the hashtag GyökeresAntonyConnection trending within hours of the press conference. Some fans have already begun analyzing footage of both players, looking for complementary movement patterns that could make this unexpected partnership flourish. United’s official supporters’ trust released a statement welcoming Gyökeres’ positive mindset: “It’s refreshing to hear a new signing speak with such conviction and clarity about how he sees himself fitting into the team. Whether or not fans agree with his specific assessment of Antony, his confidence and hunger to succeed are exactly what Manchester United needs.”
This would not be the first time an unexpected player partnership has transformed Manchester United’s fortunes. Throughout the club’s history, there have been numerous examples of player combinations that exceeded expectations based on individual performances. The most famous example might be the partnership between Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, which blossomed almost overnight during the 1998-99 treble-winning season. More recently, the connection between Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez proved far more effective than many anticipated when the Argentine first arrived at Old Trafford.
If Gyökeres’ prediction about his partnership with Antony proves accurate, it could join this list of unexpectedly successful Manchester United attacking combinations. The history of football is filled with players who bring out the best in each other despite individual limitations or criticism
Beyond the specific player connection, Gyökeres’ transfer and subsequent comments represent a significant statement of intent from Manchester United. After several disappointing seasons and questionable recruitment decisions, this move suggests a more thoughtful, analysis-driven approach to building the squad.
Ten Hag has emphasized the importance of signing players who genuinely want to be at the club and understand his vision. Gyökeres clearly fits this profile, having made his decision based on tactical considerations rather than simply financial incentives. For United supporters who have endured years of seemingly directionless transfer activity, this change in approach offers hope that the club is finally developing a coherent recruitment strategy aligned with the manager’s playing philosophy.
As pre-season training begins, all eyes will be on the developing relationship between Gyökeres and Antony. Early signs from training sessions suggest the pair have already begun working on their understanding, with Ten Hag reportedly dedicating specific drills to nurture this potential partnership.
United’s pre-season schedule includes matches against top European opposition, providing the perfect opportunity to test whether this connection can deliver in competitive scenarios. The club’s commercial department, never slow to capitalize on marketing opportunities, has already planned content featuring the two players together.
If Gyökeres’ prediction of 40 goal involvements is to be realized, United will need to adapt their tactical approach to maximize both his finishing ability and Antony’s crossing potential. This may necessitate adjustments to the roles of other attackers, including Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, as Ten Hag seeks the optimal balance.
Victor Gyökeres’ surprising revelation about Antony’s influence on his decision to join Manchester United has added an intriguing subplot to the upcoming Premier League season. His bold prediction of 40 goal involvements sets a high bar for his debut campaign, but also demonstrates the self-belief that has characterized his career progression.
For Manchester United fans, this unexpected narrative offers a new source of optimism after several challenging seasons. If Gyökeres’ assessment of Antony proves accurate, and their partnership flourishes as he predicts, it could transform United’s attacking prospects and silence critics of both players.
As the new season approaches, the football world will watch with interest to see if this unlikely connection can deliver on its promised potential. Whether Gyökeres’ confidence is justified or misplaced will become clear in the months ahead, but his unwavering belief in both himself and his new teammate represents exactly the kind of positive mindset that has been associated with Manchester United’s most successful periods. The stage is set for what could be one of the most fascinating player partnerships in recent Premier League history. Now it’s up to Gyökeres and Antony to prove that sometimes the most unexpected combinations can yield the most spectacular results.
