Antony spin: 'Every artist called a madman until his art becomes priceless'

Jacque Talbot

• 29 Oct 2022 14:32 BST
• 3 min read

Antony's entourage have leapt to the Manchester United winger's defence after his 720-degree spin in the 4-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.

Antony - a €100 million summer arrival from Ajax - received the ball on the right flank with the scores still at 0-0 at Old Trafford, and did full two full spins with the ball glued to his left foot, until he put it out of play with a miscued pass.

The trick, which may have ultimately come to nothing, divided fans and social media, with some enjoying the flair and others lamenting the lack of efficiency shown by the Brazilian.

READ: Spin Doctor: Erik Ten Hag will be DELIGHTED at Antony's showboating

Antony has also been effective since arriving in Manchester, though, scoring three goals from just six Premier League games - against meaningful opposition in Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton - and those close to the player have delivered a robust response.

"I only have one thing to say about this: Football is a very high level competition, especially the Premier League," said Antony confidant Junior Pedroso. "Dribbling, in addition to its importance in the game, makes the show more exciting and makes the entertainment more beautiful and plastic.

"Antony is one of those artists, who creates things. Every artist is called a madman, until later his art becomes priceless. Whoever criticises is whoever wants to limit creativity and evolution."

READ: Antony's start justifies Man Utd's long transfer pursuit

What did Scholes say?

Former United great Paul Scholes was clear on which side he fell down on.

"Does that do anything for anybody?" he asked on BT Sport. "I'd have to ask him - even at 4-0 up what does that do for you? This country, any country even Brazil. They don't want to see that do they? I like to see skills and entertainment; I just don't think it's skill or entertainment it's just being a clown."

Antony was hooked at half-time by Erik ten Hag on Thursday, replaced by Marcus Rashford, but he can expect to be back in the starting line-up more often than not going forward, with his combination of style and substance making his signature a shrewd one for United to have sealed.