Antony, a Manchester United winger, resorted to social media after missing Sunday’s game against West Ham at the Old Trafford.
After receiving criticism for his showboating behavior against Sheriff in the Europa League, the 22-year-old watched United’s 1-0 win from the stands.
Erik ten Hag, the boss, acknowledged that the reason for the absence was an injury and not the midweek talent school.
“No, nothing [to do with that]”, United manager Ten Hag stated when asked if the spin was the reason Antony didn’t play against West Ham on Sunday.
“He is injured. I hope it’s not too bad, I think it’s not too bad. In a couple of days he will be back”, the coach added during his post match press conference.
Even though he was unable to play, Antony made sure to get to Old Trafford to support his teammates.
He posted a photo of himself in a box, cheering on his friends, on Instagram and wished them success in the game.
The winger stated: “Good luck, @manchesterunited!!
“In the crowd in another important match for us in the Premier League. Let’s go!”
Seven minutes before halftime, Marcus Rashford scored with a powerful header to give the home team the lead.
Ten Hag, a no-nonsense manager, pledged to “fix” Antony after his midweek spin maneuver.
In the opening period of Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Sheriff, Antony pulled off his signature move before promptly throwing the ball away.
At halftime, the Brazilian was then hooked.
Since then, his antics have generated quite a fuss, with United star Paul Scholes calling Antony a “clown” for displaying the talent.
On BT Sport, Scholes stated: “I don’t know what that skill achieves. Even before that, he did nothing in the game. I think he needs a more entertaining skill.”
“When you’re three of four-nil up, maybe. I don’t know if that’s skill or entertainment. That’s being a clown.”
Antony
Brazilian professional footballer Antony Matheus dos Santos, better known by his stage name Antony, was born on February 24, 2000. He now plays as a winger for Manchester United of the Premier League and the Brazil national team.
After graduating from the So Paulo academy, Antony made his professional club debut in 2018.
In the summer of 2020, he relocated to Ajax, where he played for two seasons and won two Eredivisie championships and a KNVB Cup.
Due to Antony’s success in the Netherlands, Manchester United paid the highest amount ever for an Eredivisie player: €95 million (£82 million).
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Antony won a gold medal with the Brazil under-23 squad. He subsequently scored in his senior international debut.
What did Antony do?
In the opening period of the 3-0 victory over FC Sheriff, the winger spun the ball before fumbling his pass.
Paul Scholes, a former United midfielder, called the play “ridiculous,” and cameras captured Ten Hag shaking his head on the bench.
After Antony’s unnecessary spins in the Europa League victory over Sheriff Tiraspol, Erik ten Hag swore to correct any Manchester United players using skills for their own sake.
With a 3-0 victory on Thursday at Old Trafford, the Red Devils secured their spot in the knockout round with one game remaining. Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his comeback, Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford also scored.
Why did Erik ten Hag drop the Brazilian?
West Ham United visited Old Trafford on Sunday played against Manchester United without the club’s winger Antony.
Victor Lindelof is reportedly unwell, while Antony is reportedly ruled out due to an injury.
Additionally, Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford, and Cristiano Ronaldo made the starting lineup against the Hammers.
This week, Antony received criticism for becoming ostentatious against Sheriff in the Europa League.
After performing his signature double 360 degree drag-back maneuver when the score was still 0-0, Antony overhit a pass that went straight out of play.
Before the teams filed out for the second half of the Europa League game, Ten Hag switched the Brazilian out for Rashford. Since then, he has not been in action for United.
