‘Man Utd players will be asking why Antony is still playing’

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 6 Sept 2023 14:15 BST
2 min read

Manchester United players will be talking to one another asking themselves how Antony is still starting for the club.

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That is according to former United States international and ESPN pundit Janusz Michallik, who believes that questions need to start to be asked of Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag.

United have made a difficult start to the season, losing two of their opening four Premier League matches and being fortunate to win the other two versus Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Perhaps the most criticised player at United this season has been Antony.

The Brazil winger joined from Ajax last year for €100 million but has been a huge disappointment so far.

Despite this, Ten Hag continues to start Antony and he struggled again in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates.

What did Michallik say about Antony and Ten Hag?

“We have to start pushing back against Ten Hag,” Michallik said on ESPN.

“The way United play, it is horrific. Where is the high pressing? Where is the possession?

“Compare the progress of Man Utd with Arsenal. Look at how they have progressed, look at how they are playing.

“Man Utd could and should have lost every game so far this season. They haven’t played well at all.

“If I am in that dressing room, and I see Antony starting every game - you know how it is in the dressing room…

“We would all be saying ‘what is going on with this? How is this guy playing every game?’

“I have been in the dressing room. These are the conversations that are happening. They have to be happening as I have been part of that.

“Ten Hag has to take responsibility because his way of playing I haven’t seen.”

Antony has also been facing problems off the pitch.

Antony is under investigation from Greater Manchester Police amidst domestic abuse allegations from his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin.

Having previously issued a statement in June branding the allegations as false, Antony took to social media on Monday to once again deny having committed domestic violence.

He was dropped by the Brazil national team squad over the allegations this week.