Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves have criticised Antony for “showboating” in the first half of Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Sheriff.
The 22-year-old has brought his trademark skill ‘AnTOURny’ to Manchester and tries to utilise it when possible in matches.
Today didn’t prove to be as useful, though, as when the Brazilian displayed his spin, he went on to pass the ball out of play and award Sheriff a goal kick.
Antony was substituted off at half-time, but Erik ten Hag insisted the decision was pre-planned and was not due to the wasteful attack. United saw out a 3-0 win at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whilst Antony’s attempt may not have paid off tonight, it’s important that players feel the freedom to express themselves on the pitch. Jadon Sancho has been criticised lately due to his reluctance to ‘take on his man’, yet Antony is when he has the confidence to do so.
Former United players not keen on Antony’s confidence
Post-match on BT Sport, Scholes and Hargreaves were critical of Antony’s choices on the night.
On Ten Hag’s confirmation of Antony’s substitution being planned, 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 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?”
"It's not skill or entertainment, it's just being a clown!" 😂
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves joke about who wants to see Antony's showboating antics… 👀
🎙️ @julesbreach pic.twitter.com/OL5a3pBMtK
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 27, 2022
Footage courtesy of BT Sport
Hargreaves added: “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 went on to say: “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?”
