Medical expert Ben Dinnery, who has a background in injury and data analysis, has delivered his verdict on Manchester United’s Antony.
When the Brazil international arrived at the club after his big-money transfer, he enjoyed a fine run, going on to score in his first three matches.
He then suffered an injury at the end of October that saw him miss quite a few games and even after the World Cup, he still hasn’t been able to regain his form.
Injury woes have continued for the winger who appears to be struggling to adjust to the rigors of the Premier League after his £85m move.
Many United fans are becoming increasingly concerned and hope that these issues will be fixed soon.
The congested fixture list has also not helped Antony adjust to life in Manchester and the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag has used his options to the best of his ability so far this season, but has struggled to rotate his attacking players after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Dinnery, the fitness expert, believes that Antony’s current fitness issues stem from him struggling to adjust to the intensity of the league.
In an interview on the Football Insider website, he said: “There’s certainly that element as he’s struggling to adapt.
“From what we know, Antony was struggling with a problem before winter break that was initially reported as a fairly minor, innocuous injury that was expected to last only two or three days, but it spread beyond that and we never saw it. before the World Cup.
“There is always going to be bumps and pains on the road to recovery and he is still adjusting to the intensity of the Premier League.
“Not only that, but he is also adjusting to a new environment. The physical demands are likely to be very different at national level compared to the national team, as Erik ten Hag wants his players to work very hard.
“He leaves no stone unturned and has very high expectations of his players. But also, given the type of player Antony is, he’s going to invite challenges and he’s going to take hits through that too,” the expert opined.
It is clear that the medical department could be working harder with Ten Hag because of the way he wants United to play.
Some key players like Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are other names who have frequently missed games due to injuries.
The manager will hope the Red Devils iron out their fitness issues as they head into the latter stages of competitions.
United Matchday Magazine – Stay on top of everything in red. Still itching for more United content? Get everything you need right here. For just £1.25 per issue / £3.75 per month, you’ll receive unique United information, delivered directly to your inbox, before every game and throughout the month.
Get exclusive preparation for every game, plus team news, tactics and history. Not only that – United Matchday is packed with articles, news, transfer news, riddles, nostalgia and humor. Impress your friends and stay on top of everything in red!
