Brazilian winger Antony turned the football world upside down with his trademark first-half skill in Manchester United’s Europa League victory over Sheriff Tiraspol.
With the score 0-0 towards the end of the first half, the Moldovan team was producing a solid performance from the back.
It was then that Antony received the ball deep into the Sheriff’s half on the right side and, without pressure, proceeded to perform his trademark spin on the ball.
With no defender shutting down the Brazilian trickster, he spun twice before releasing a pass to Casemiro that was caught offside.
“Embarrassing!”
Antony does his signature spin across acres of space then puts his pass offside… ???? #UEL pic.twitter.com/P7SjcPqrUd
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 27, 2022
Count on a standing ovation from the home crowd, but a complete disdain from pundits after the game, as well as a mixed reaction on social media.
“It’s just ridiculous, it’s bragging, what is he thinking? I think he needs to get kicked out,” opined Paul Scholes on BT Sports.
Robbie Savage chimed in as well, calling Antony “shameful” for pulling off the trick and then wasting the next pass.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves also expressed his opinion on the matter. “A twist is fine. The second… you need to be proficient with the function…”
His views were echoed by United manager Erik ten Hag at the end of the match. The Dutchman, who brought the winger off at half-time in a pre-planned move, said: “I have no problem with the turn, as long as it’s functional.
There is an argument to say that the skill was functional. Antony didn’t have a forward option when he received the ball, however, after his second spin, Casemiro had made a deep run behind the defence.
A better ball and it might as well have been an occasion. Not all abilities have to beat a player to be functional.
If Antonio had been left waiting for a forward run, a defender could have locked him up. Instead, they were puzzled by the bold turn.
Old Trafford has seen its fair share of entertaining football over the years, from George Best dancing around defenses to Ryan Giggs taking down the wing or Cristiano Ronaldo bewitching defenders with multiple steps.
Antonio seems ready to add his name to the list of these great artists.
Fans go to Old Trafford to be entertained, and it goes without saying that true entertainers have been relatively rare for the Red Devils recently.
It’s strange why pundits felt the need to implore the Brazilian to stop bluffing. It was only on Wednesday that the same studio insiders stated that fans want to enjoy watching the game while discussing Harry Kane’s disallowed goal in the Champions League.
Antony is here to entertain, let’s sit back and enjoy the show.
