Manchester United fans have made their feelings clear on Antony after the Brazilian winger’s showing against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim secured his first win as Manchester United manager during his first match at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager took charge of the Red Devils earlier this month and led United to a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town last weekend.
Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout, has now seen United pick up three important points in their Europa League campaign.
The Red Devils made a quick start – much like they did against Ipswich Town – after Alejandro Garnacho fired United into the lead in only the first minute.
United’s advantage vanished after Hakon Evjen cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s opener before Philip Zinckernagel scored Bodo/Glimt’s second minutes later.
Rasmus Hojlund pulled back an equaliser for United before the half-time whistle and both sides went into the break with a 2-2 scoreline on the board.
However, the 21-year-old Danish forward would be the difference-maker and Rasmus Hojlund completed his brace only five minutes into the second half.
Antony’s Man Utd start vs Bodo/Glimt
Manchester United have climbed to 12th place in the Europa League table, with the league phase format introduced by UEFA in the 2024-25 campaign.
The Red Devils have won only two of their first five matches of their Europa League season so far and United could still reach the knockout rounds of the competition.
Antony has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford since his big-money move from Ajax in 2022, despite reuniting with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
The 24-year-old former Ajax star has only managed five appearances across all competitions this season and Antony has netted only once for the Red Devils.
Antony’s long-term future at Old Trafford was cast in doubt after Ten Hag was sacked in late October and Ruben Amorim arrived as United manager.
However, Amorim was spotted using Antony as a wing-back in training this month and the Brazil international made his first start in the position at United on Thursday.
Antony was deployed out on the right as a wing-back as Amorim stuck with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, which he also used against Ipswich Town.
The United winger struggled to make a real impact in the role against Bodo/Glimt and Antony was hooked off and replaced by Amad Diallo in the second half.
Man Utd fans react to Antony as wing-back
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were far from convinced by Antony’s ‘audition’ as a wing-back in the Europa League.
Red Devils supporters pointed out that Amad Diallo, who excelled as a wing-back against Ipswich, overshadowed him from the minute he replaced him.
Other United fans argued that Noussair Mazraoui would be better in the position than Antony, despite the Morocco star excelling in the three-man backline.
“I want to see Mazraoui in that Antony role,” one fan said.
Another wrote: “Don’t know why [the] RWB is going under the radar as a problem that needs addressing. Antony [is] not good enough there and Amad would bring even more value to the team higher up in the RF role.”
Someone else tweeted: “Antony will have to work very hard to drop Amad [because] the difference in quality is clear as day.”
“Amad is absolute levels above Antony. ETH [Ten Hag] leaving him on the bench was outrageous,” a fourth X user commented.
While a fifth posted: “At this point, Mazraoui should play the right forward wing whilst Antony is on the bench.”
A sixth fan said: “Perhaps we will not see Antony playing again after this… he is way too below Amad.”
Somebody else suggested: “Amorim ball it is. You can see the vision. Amad, BTW, just simply a superior player to Antony. Just don’t see Antony working out here.”
“Antony can never be ahead of Amad. Such a proper baller,” another simply added.
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