Man Utd star Antony leaves stadium on crutches after being stretchered off vs Fenerbahce
Antony had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the closing stages of Manchester United's draw with Fenerbahce - and the sight of him post-match suggests a significant injury
by Felix Keith · The MirrorManchester United winger Antony could be set for a spell on the sidelines after being seen leaving the stadium on crutches following the draw against Fenerbahce.
United chalked up a third successive draw in the Europa League on Thursday night in Istanbul. Jose Mourinho's side ensured that Erik ten Hag and his players have not tasted victory in the competition for 12 months - and there was further bad news after the final whistle.
Antony only came on as a 73rd-minute substitute for Marcus Rashford, but had to be withdrawn 16 minutes later for Amad Diallo. The problem initially appeared innocuous, but the Brazilian appeared in some discomfort and signalled to the bench that he needed replacing.
A stretcher was brought onto the pitch to take the former Ajax man off - and he was later seen using crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left leg as he went through the media mixed zone on the way to the United coach.
Antony has contributed just one goal in five appearances across all competitions this season, but Ten Hag can hardly afford any more injuries. The Dutchman later found himself having to defend his decision to introduce the 24-year-old ahead of Amad - a call which angered some fans on social media - saying Antony had been "training very good".
Antony has just 12 goals and five assists in 86 matches for United since Ten Hag oversaw a £86million transfer to land him from his former club Ajax. He has so far failed to live up to his billing, with Alejandro Garnacho, Rashford and Amad preferred in wide areas this season.
But with Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia all missing from the trip to Istanbul, Ten Hag already has enough injuries on his hands. The result didn't do much to ease the pressure on his job, either.
Christian Eriksen put the away side ahead with a powerful finish at the end of a flowing move involving Garnacho, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee. That was their first shot on goal but the good times didn't last.
Andre Onana made two stunning quick-fire saves from Youssouf En-Nesyri to keep United 1-0 up at half-time, but the Fenerbahce striker nodded in from Allain Saint-Maximin's cross to equalise shortly after. The home side then had a penalty waved away for Manuel Ugarte's challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel – an incident which saw Jose Mourinho sent off.
Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were summoned from the bench in the 55th minute in search of some inspiration, but United couldn't find it. They now sit 21st in the Europa League table after failing to beat FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce.
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