The £86million misfit
No goal or assist in 20 league games and fifth choice in his own position... Antony’s stock has never been lower
ALL Antony could do was sit and watch. First as he was overlooked for 19-yearold Omari Forson, who was making his first start in the Premier League. Then off came Forson and on came Scott McTominay, pushing Bruno Fernandes out to the right wing. Next to be called to the stage was Amad Diallo, on for only the second time in the league this season.
When Antony was finally summoned from his warm spot on the bench, a place that has become a home from home for him since defeat at Nottingham Forest on December 30, there were but 30 seconds remaining.
Grass had barely gripped to his studs by the time Michael Oliver blew the full-time whistle.
United had lost for the first time in 2024, their unbeaten run was over and Fulham were worthy winners, even if it took a 97th-minute Alex Iwobi strike.
But this was a 10th league defeat for United this season and so the bigger story at play here was Antony, a fully fit Antony no less, finding himself fifth choice in his own position. So much for having a birthday to remember.
Casting minds back 17 months to when Antony posed for photos in a Manchester United shirt for the first time after sealing an £86million move, he arrived with so much optimism and belief.
‘Playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax was perfect for me and my development,’ he said.
‘His style of football and coaching brings out the best in me and I am excited by what he has told me about his plans and ambitions in Manchester.’
He arrived as a Ten Hag favourite, one of his trusted lieutenants, yet now he is a player Ten Hag looks reluctant to use even to run the clock down. The plan right now is to keep him as far away from match action as possible. His stock has never been lower.
‘It was nothing to do with fitness,’ Ten Hag said damningly after this 2-1 defeat.
The Dutchman was in no mood to concoct a story to spare Antony the public humiliation.
‘He’s fit but we have many options on the right — we lack in other positions due to injuries.
‘The form in Antony we all have seen and he has to step up. I see it in training but also Omari Forson and Amad Diallo and Garnacho deserve to play.’
Even as United huffed and puffed here, devoid of creativity and presence in attack, nobody outside those of a Fulham persuasion was calling for the 24-yearold Brazilian’s introduction.
Without a goal or an assist in 20 league matches this season, faith in him to change the course of games has long since vanished.
That’s the challenge for Antony now: to change the narrative. Ten Hag is trying to win games and doesn’t believe Antony can help him do it. Fans want to see youngsters with no experience played ahead of him. Pundits have long stopped including him in predicted XIs.
‘He has to prove a point,’ Ten Hag said on Friday, appearing to leave the door the slightest bit ajar. ‘He has big potential. He hasn’t shown it lately but I know what his talent is. It’s about proving his talent and it’s about him.’
If ever there was a week for Antony to make a statement it is this one. An FA Cup fifth-round clash away to Forest, where he last started in the league, before the small matter of a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium against Man City.
‘Thank you to every person who has told me I can’t. You’re just another reason I will,’ Manny Pacquiao once said.
If Antony has any fighting spirit left, now is the time to show it. MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Onana 7; Dalot 6, Varane 6.5, Maguire 6.5, Lindelof 5 (Antony 90min); Mainoo 5.5 (Diallo 80), Casemiro 5 (Eriksen 53, 5); Forson 5 (McTominay 53, 6), Fernandes 6, Garnacho 7; Rashford 5.5. Scorer: Maguire 89. Booked: Maguire, Fernandes. Manager: Erik ten Hag 5. FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno 6.5; Castagne 7, Adarabioyo 6.5, Bassey 7, Robinson 7; Reed 7 (Traore 76), Lukic 6.5; Wilson 6 (Diop 81), Pereira 7 (Cairney 68, 6.5), Iwobi 7; Scorers: Bassey 65, Iwobi 90+7. Booked: Adarabioyo, Pereira, Wilson, Leno, Cairney. Manager: Marco Silva 7. Referee: Michael Oliver 7. Attendance: 73,487.