FOOTAGE has emerged of Antony’s reaction to being told he has to play at left-back against Arsenal.
With 87 minutes on the clock during Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal yesterday, Erik ten Hag tweaked the team’s setup.
He made a triple substitution as Christian Eriksen, Omari Forson and Ethan Wheatley came on for Sofyan Amrabat, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Hojlund.
The changes saw right-winger Antony shoved to left-back as Man Utd looked to find a late equaliser.
He had only played for 17 minutes in his preferred position after coming on as a substitute in the second-half.
Ten Hag’s decision came despite Antony reacting furiously to being asked to finish the game in defence against Liverpool in the FA Cup two months ago, appearing to sulk and make an angry gesture.
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He then had to be calmed down by Marcus Rashford as he was slammed by supporters.
And once again, the Brazilian seemed unimpressed after Ten Hag demanded similar of him versus Arsenal.
Antony trudges across the pitch to left-back as Scott McTominay puts his arm around him and appears to try to gee him up.
Meanwhile, Eriksen’s first action as a sub is to come over and confirm Antony’s position change.
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He gets to left-back and then has a chat with his compatriot and Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus while covering his mouth.
Fans are convinced he was unhappy about Ten Hag’s tactical switch again, with one saying: “Safe to say that Antony doesn’t like being asked to play at left-back.”
Another added: “He’s lucky he’s being asked to play at all.”
A third reacted: “Sometimes you’ve just got to roll up your sleeves and put in a shift. As a pro he shouldn’t be moaning really. The manager has asked him to do a job, so do it.”
More commented: “Can’t blame him for being annoyed with it but he got on with it when he did play there.”
After his first meltdown against Liverpool, Ten Hag praised the player’s effort, saying: “I see in training, I see the Antony I was used to work with at Ajax, and also used to work in the first weeks here.
“He has to fight back, and I’m sure he will do, because you’ve seen that goal.
“When he’s going to left full-back position, he’s defending very well. In certain systems, he can play from that side.
“He’s not a defending player, don’t get me wrong, because we have seen he can score goals.”
It has been a difficult season for Antony, with Ten Hag revealing he “lost confidence” earlier in the campaign.
The 24-year-old has scored just three goals in 38 games this term.
And Antony has found the back of the net 11 times in 82 matches since his £85million move from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
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His antics have hit the headlines over his goalscoring this season after making a gesture at Coventry players following United’s penalty shootout victory in the FA Cup semi-final.
Antony was also slammed by Jamie Carragher as he raged “shut up and get off the pitch” after he was seen conversing with Mason Mount and Andre Onana as Crystal Palace beat them 4-0.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
