THE JURY’S STILL OUT ON ANTONY

ERIK TEN HAG is clearly desperate for his gamble on Antony to pay off.

More anxious, it seems, than the 24-year-old himself.

The words of encouragement from Manchester United’s boss ahead of this tie were supposed to provoke a response from the Brazilian.

The Dutchman called for a fightback, resilience, determination to prove he belongs, that he can produce more than just glimpses of ability. In fairness to the former Ajax man (below), he’s not always been given a real run of games to nail that one way or the other.

This start was only his second in nine, following a start in South Wales against Newport County.

Whether that was a punishment, done to elicit a response or just a desperate plea for a man who cost £82million to show his worth, only ten Hag knows. But it was as if his boss hit the nail squarely on the head here.

This wasn’t a bad showing. It had moments of real quality. For instance, the Brazilian could have scored within four minutes.

A neatly-worked routine from a corner saw Bruno Fernandes fire a ball across the 18-yard box. Antony steamed on to it, clattering a left-foot shot into the bar.

You could almost hear the mental cogs whirring on the visitors’ bench: If only that had been a few inches lower. He did try. A little.

Forest full-back Harry Toffolo raced down the left a couple of times. He passed Antony too, only for the United man to wake up and make good the ground.

He fed Scott Mctominay in dangerous areas. But, equally, he waited for the ball to come to him.

Ten Hag’s words may have been worthy. They didn’t exactly fall on deaf ears. But then, they weren’t acted upon, either. He was substituted with the verdict of Forest’s fans ringing around the City Ground. “What a waste of money,” came the chant.

Harsh, maybe, but then equally at this stage, not without merit, either.