Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists Cristiano Ronaldo still has a vital role to play at Old Trafford despite the imminent arrival of Antony.
The Portuguese veteran continues to be linked with a move away from the club but – despite the likes of Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon and Chelsea having been mentioned as possible destinations – no deal appears close.
United have improved their attacking options having agreed an £81.3 million deal for Ajax winger Antony on Tuesday.
But Ten Hag says that signing is an essential boost to United’s attack ahead of the club's Europa League campaign that begins next week, rather than any sign that Ronaldo will be allowed to move this week before the transfer window closes.
“It is clear, we need quality players,” said the Dutch coach ahead of United's Premier League game at Leicester City on Thursday.
“You need more and to cover all the games to keep the consistency going, that’s what we strive for.
“Especially from offensive players, they are quicker fatigued because they have to run more and run with higher intensity. We expect that from them and our way of play.
“We need numbers there, we need not just quantity but quality.”
United have also been linked with a move for Martin Dubravka and Ten Hag does not believe there will be any more arrivals if they seal deals for the Newcastle United goalkeeper and Antony.
The club have already spent close to £230m this summer brining in Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro.
“Firstly I have to sign [Antony],” said Ten Hag. “There’s an agreement between the clubs but the paperwork is not done so I cannot go too deep into that.
“For this window it will be the end [after Antony and Dubravka] but when there is a great opportunity you have to always be alert as a top club.”
Ten Hag, who confirmed full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka would remain at the club, added: “I see it as a start, we now have a good base. This is the minimum we have to bring.
“I was happy to see the turn and we have to keep the spirit and keep this winning mentality because you need it if you want to have a successful season.”
Southampton 0 Man United 1: player ratings
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SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Gavin Bazunu – 6. Continues to find his feet. Fine save to deny Elanga and spark a remarkable goalmouth scramble. Had no chance at all with Fernandes’s winner early in the second period. Reuters -
Kyle Walker-Peters – 7. A willing attacking threat as Southampton openly targeted the left-hand side of United’s defence, but his biggest contribution came in twice denying Fernandes during the first-half melee. Should have done better with the rebound after Aribo’s header had been saved. EPA -
Armel Bella-Kotchap – 9. Outstanding. Did superbly to snuff out a pair of menacing United counter-attacks early on, saved a certain goal by blocking Eriksen’s close-range effort after a scramble, and twice showed great footwork at the other end before blazing wastefully over. AFP -
Mohammed Salisu – 7. Provided further evidence that a central-defensive partnership can work better for Saints than a trio. Solid and unruffled for long periods in tandem with Bella-Kotchap, and posed United the added danger of his hefty long throws. EPA -
Moussa Djenepo – 6. Perhaps relieved to be facing Elanga rather than Sancho, and enjoyed the upper hand in his running battle with the young Swede. Struggled more with Dalot’s presence, however, and Fernandes’s goal came from the Portuguese full-back’s work down his side. AFP -
James Ward-Prowse – 7. Typically energetic, motoring up and down to set the tone for his side’s tactical pressing. Always looked dangerous when providing a supply line from dead balls or in open play, despite limited movement in front of him as United defended stoutly in central areas. EPA -
Romeo Lavia – 8. Calm in possession but did his best work without the ball, ensuring that the visitors were unable to regularly join the departmental dots in a midfield battle which Saints tactically bossed. Reuters -
Adam Armstrong – 7. An energetic display which gave Dalot defensive problems. Headed straight at De Gea when he might have done better with the game’s first chance, and would have had a fine assist in the second half if De Gea hadn’t fended away Aribo’s header. Getty -
Joe Aribo – 6. Enjoyed the physical edge in midfield for long periods, but missed the chance to bolster a tidy performance with an invaluable equaliser, as he directed his powerful header straight at De Gea. Getty -
Mohamed Elyounoussi - 5. A busy afternoon as Saints targeted the United left but, apart from one sublime through ball for Adams – which deserved better treatment than a scuffed finish – his contribution was limited and he made way for Stuart Armstrong just after an hour. Getty -
Che Adams – 6. Anonymous for half-an-hour, but sprung into life after looping a header onto the roof of De Gea’s net. Saints’ likeliest attacking source all afternoon, but was unable to fully test De Gea when sights of goal did arise. Getty -
SUBS: Stuart Armstrong (Mohamed Elyounoussi, 63) – 6. Serial sub continued his run of mid-game introductions. Typically tidy and bright as Saints pinned the visitors back in search of a leveller. Getty -
Sekou Mara (Adam Armstrong, 77) – 6. Given little time to impact on proceedings as United clung on, but still caused problems with one audacious late overhead effort and a volley just wide. Getty -
Lyanco (Joe Aribo, 89) – N/A. Introduced as an emergency target man, but Saints were unable to hit him. Romain Perraud (Moussa Djenepo, 89) – N/A. Getty -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 7. Didn’t concede a goal in away match for the first time since February. Brilliant reflex save on 65 minutes as the Saints pushed for an equaliser. Stood up when needed. EPA -
Diogo Dalot - 7. Crossed the ball strongly for Fernandes on 10. A little too strongly as his compatriot couldn’t get on it. Booked after 50 for a foul. Fine ball to Fernandes for the opening goal, but then gave a ball away to set up a Southampton attack on 58. Defended well against consistent Southampton pressure. Goal line clearance on 93. Reuters -
Raphael Varane - 8. Stopped a 14th minute Southampton attack with a header and headed another home attack away on 94 minutes. Composed throughout. A clean sheet, some late minutes with his old Real Madrid teammates Casemiro. His best week since joining the club. This is what one of the best defenders in the world looks like. AFP -
Lisandro Martinez - 8. Fine timing throughout. Physical, especially when tackling. Handled Adams well. Made a few errors but the 3,000 travelling United fans were already singing ‘Argentina!’ for their new signing. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia - 7. Started the game well, though the best moments of turning out of trouble then giving the ball away came in the same 8th minute move. Excellent week for the new signing, with two wins in the first two games he started. Getty -
Scott McTominay - 7. Dropped back to form a back three when his side were forced into a low block. That meant United had a numerical balance in the box. Had a 48th minute shot on target after he got behind Southampton’s defenders. Southampton players were convinced he’d handled in the second. Went down in agony on 87. EPA -
Christian Eriksen - 6. One of several players who had a shot on the Southampton goal on 19. Dug in for victory until he tired and came off. Settling well in the unsettled atmosphere at his new club where fans continue to protest against the Glazer family. Reuters -
Bruno Fernandes - 6. Another who had a shot on target in the first-half goalmouth scramble. His free-kicks underwhelm, he gave the ball away too much, but his first goal of the season was a delight, making a tough finish from a Dalot cross look doable. "Bruno, Bruno, Bruno, he's from Sporting like Cristiano," chant the United fans. EPA -
Anthony Elanga - 6. Got behind the Southampton defence but tackled superbly by Bella Kotchap when on goal after 52. Involved in the build up with a run inside which created space for Dalot to cross. Needs to take chances. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford - 5. Highly involved on Monday against Liverpool in a central role, barely involved against Southampton in the same role. Getty -
Jadon Sancho - 5. Up against Walker Peters and as average as Rashford in a forward line which didn’t convince. EPA -
SUBS: Cristiano Ronaldo (Sancho, 67) - 5. Was soon down clutching his knee. Poor choice of pass in a late attack. Might be the last time he wears a Manchester United shirt. Getty -
Casemiro (Elanga, 79) - 7. Made a block and tackle to help United see the win out. Reuters -
Fred (Eriksen, 91) - N/A. Quickly involved, winning the ball and taking it away from danger. Booked for a 95th minute challenge on Armstrong. Getty
United started their Premier League campaign with a home defeat against Brighton before being humiliated 4-0 at Brentford, as they sat bottom of the standings after two fixtures.
But their fortunes have improved in the last couple of weeks after edging out fierce rivals Liverpool and then Southampton, and they can make it a hat-trick of wins by beating the Foxes.
Leicester have endured a miserable start to their season, taking just one point from a possible 12, but Ten Hag refused to take anything for granted ahead of United’s trip to the King Power Stadium.
The former Ajax manager added: “Their identity is really good to see, they play really good football so we have to be really good to get a result there.”
