Several football pundits and former Manchester United legends have criticised Brazilian winger Antony for 'showboating' in the first half of the Red Devils' 3-0 win against FC Sheriff in their Europa League clash on Thursday.
It was a night that saw legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo make a solid return to Manchester United's squad by scoring the third goal for the Red Devils in their Europa League 3-0 win against FC Sheriff at Old Trafford. However, apart from the Portuguese talisman scoring his 701st club career goal, what also hit the headlines was Brazilian winger Antony's antics with the ball.
The 22-year-old former Ajax star is known for his iconic ball spin, and the player chose to display his skill in the first half of the clash. However, the 'AnTURNy' did not prove helpful as he passed the ball out of play and awarded the visiting team a goal kick.
Antony did this spin in 37th minute, Erik ten Haag substituted him at HT.
No nonsense manager 😂
pic.twitter.com/rCa9afNiys
Antony was substituted at half-time, but United boss Erik ten Hag insisted the decision was pre-planned and was not due to the wasteful attack. He has, however, stated he would coach needless tricks out of the Brazilian as he looks for the summer arrival to use his skill effectively.
"I don't have a problem with tricks as long as it's functional," Ten Hag said.
"I demand more from him – more runs behind, more often in the box and more playing in the pocket. When there is a trick like that, it's nice as long as it's functional. If you're not losing the ball, then it's OK – but if it's a trick because of a trick, then I will correct him," the United boss added.
Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo scored as United eased to a 3-0 win against Sheriff, though the Red Devils will need to beat Real Sociedad in their final fixture to top the group. Following this clash, football pundits and former club legends slammed Antony's choices on the night.
On Ten Hag's confirmation of Antony's substitution being planned, former United legend Paul Scholes said: "I think it would have had a little bit of something to do with it [Antony's skill]. I think you saw his [Ten Hag] reaction on the bench, I think it frustrated him."
"I will correct him" 👀
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has his say on THAT Antony skill 🔴⤵️pic.twitter.com/kFmwDGggo5
"I just don't know what it achieves. This crowd and me, I love a bit of showboating, I love a bit of entertainment but… does that do anything for anybody? Does it do anything for himself? I'd have to ask him. I don't know what it achieves Owen. If you're three or four nil up yeah then, you might do. But even if you're three or four nil up, what does that do for you?" Scholes told BT Sport.
Paul Scholes wasn't impressed with Antony's spin in the first half 😯 pic.twitter.com/Jq7NwaNNX6
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC)Meanwhile, Owen Hargreaves too slammed the Brazilian star stating, "We all want to see skill, we all love that, but the point is you need to have skill with function. You need to be moving forward. If he does that in and around somebody I'll be jumping out my seat, but the point is to do it like that with no effect, I'm not sure what he was trying to achieve."
Scholes added, "I'm not even sure it's skill is it? We could all do that couldn't we? "I think he needs a better one – a more entertaining one. Brazil don't wanna see that do they? Ajax in Holland, do they want to see that? I like to see skill and entertainment but I don't think that's skill or entertainment, that's just.. being a clown innit?"
Would love it for Antony to show up outside Scholes's house every morning just to spin the ball and make him cry more.
Embarrassing how these Man Utd legends keep slandering our current players and manager. pic.twitter.com/0cLOaMiIyl
Robbie Savage claimed Antony’s first-half showboating moment against Sheriff was “embarrassing”. “He’s [Antony] done that then puts the ball out of play. It’s quite embarrassing actually. Doing that with nobody near him and then he puts the ball out of play. If I was the manager I would not be happy. You’re trying to win the game, move the ball quickly, nobody near him and he puts the ball out of play. Embarrassing. What was the point? If I was the manager and he did that again, I would drag him off," Savage added.
Meanwhile, several fans took to Twitter to react to slam pundits and former legends criticising Antony for displaying his iconic spin on the field during the Europa League clash against Sheriff. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
That Antony skill just looks odd because we're not used to it in this league. As long as he delivers who cares. Ten Hag will sort it out. On to the next game. It's not that deep when we're winning
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge)This Antony guy is so hilarious.pic.twitter.com/M1XNhTFHrV
— Matthew (@_halfspaces)If Antony was a chickpic.twitter.com/OtQS679eCP
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)Personne :
Antony : pic.twitter.com/pUCsUezhh3
Don’t even care if those Antony spins lead to anything, as long as rivals keep crying then I want more and more, press their necks 😂
— Trey (@UTDTrey)Antony to the pundits pic.twitter.com/Ka3kNMayF1
— mo 🍥 (@Mo_therad)You see how the pundits all praised Diaz for being an entertainer for a few no look 5 yard passes but complain about Antony doing skills lol
— . (@utdcynical)So Antony did a spin!!!
So!!!!????
Leave the kid alone…let him have his fun. Disrespectful…? I guess we all can live with that.
A 22- year old Brazilian who loves his football makes a “trick”…
Keep calm and carry on
I’m not even worried about ex-reds criticism of Antony. If you know where he is from you would understand he will be so unbothered lol 😂
— The Elite Pundit (@TheElitePundit)Antony needs to do more spins so that the likes of Robbie Savage and Paul Scholes can continue crying pic.twitter.com/kRHs21Nn7Y
— 1958 (@YoungArab61)Hope Antony does that spin move every single game without fail.
— ًE. (@UtdEIIis)Man United legends watching Antony doing the 360 spin pic.twitter.com/hXEZgMjT9N
— mo 🍥 (@Mo_therad)Thing is, what Antony did might be unnecessary and a bit disrespectful but the fans who have paid to watch this game will remember it and talk about it afterwards.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67)If Antony's spin offends you, get a fucking grip.
— ً (@utdrobbo)Let The Haters Hate 😴 pic.twitter.com/xmXbEYVkTI
— Wes🔥 (@AntonyEra_)Glad Sky have got someone whose opinion on Brazilian skills is universally respected. Just hope Antony isn’t too devastated. https://t.co/TqdzxRHhNh
— Jay Motty (@JayMotty)These man care more about Antony showing a bit of swagger than racism! 🤣 Neanderthals!
— Rants 🇳🇱 (@rantsnbants)Antony needs to pull off a more effective crazy skill on Sunday to get their heads spinning. I really want to see more of that.
— Nana😹 (@qwofyelement)They’ve made a whole post-match show on BT Sport for a fucking spin by Antony on the ball, who genuinely cares?
— h (@htomufc)