Man Utd told to move on from Antony as verdict reached on Brazilian flop
Ex-England ace reckons Brazilian winger Antony could be on his way out of Old Trafford because he simply can't deal with the physicality of the Premier League
by David Craven · The MirrorJoe Cole reckons Antony’s time is up at Manchester United - because he simply doesn’t suit the Premier League.
The Brazilian winger has only made one brief league appearance so far this season for Erik ten Hag’s side. He came off the bench in the dying stages of their 2-1 loss at Brighton last month. The £82m signing from Ajax is now in his third campaign at Old Trafford but has still failed to establish himself with the club.
Antony has fallen down the pecking order this term behind the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Amad and is increasingly representing a peripheral figure. Ex-England star Cole said: “The problem with Antony at Manchester United is I think he’s a player that is perfect for the Dutch league.
"I think the physicality of the Premier League is something he struggles with. He’s a talented footballer with great technique and skill, and it was good to see him playing well against Barnsley, but I don’t see him making an impact in the United starting team this season and I can’t see him turning it around at Manchester United.”
Antony, 24, did get a start and scored a penalty in the 7-0 Carabao Cup romp against Championship Barnsley last Tuesday. But he hasn’t featured in any of United’s last three Premier League games having been an unused substitute in all of them, even when Ten Hag’s side were struggling to make a breakthrough in Saturday’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
Antony was also left kicking his heels in the Community Shield loss against Manchester City and in their opening day defeat to Fulham. In an interview with Paddy Power, Cole added: “With Antony, I think he’s playing for a move away from the club and I think United will move past him. He’s not an old player and he should be coming into his prime in the next few years, so I think he’s probably best suited to other leagues.”
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