In his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League group stage encounter with Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, Erik ten Hag has suggested that Antony may return to the Red Devils’ team.
The former Ajax boss, when probed on the winger, said that Antony is ‘in consideration’ to make his return to the squad for the important European clash with the Turkish champions.
Antony returned to the United Kingdom last week after spending time in Brazil with family and planning his defence against allegations and charges of domestic abuse made against him by four women, both in the UK and in Brazil. The charges are being investigated by the police with Antony releasing a statement refuting the allegations and planning to defend himself.
Antony’s final match for Manchester United before his leave was on Sunday 3rd September when United were beaten by three goals to one at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal.
The 23-year-old forward joined the club for a fee of around £82 million from Ajax, where he had been coached by Erik ten Hag. He has not necessarily hit the heights that many expected given his price tag but limited options in attack has meant his absence has been more obvious than perhaps had been anticipated.
United were beaten by a goal to nil at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon by Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace. That means they have begun the 2023/24 Premier League season with four defeats and just three victories in their opening seven matches.
Their upcoming match against Galatasaray is also of major significance after they were beaten 4-3 by Germany champions Bayern Munich in the opening match of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign a couple of weeks ago at the Allianz Arena in Bavaria. After tomorrow’s game with Gala, they then host Brentford in the Premier League before the October international break.
