sport news Antony's £86m arrival at Man United was meant to solve the club's right-wing ... trends now
Manchester United thought when they forked out £86m to Ajax for Brazilian winger Antony in the summer that they were getting a ready-made world beater capable of becoming the catalyst for getting bums off seats inside Old Trafford.
During the club's 3-2 defeat away to Arsenal on Sunday, Antony was unceremoniously hooked off in the 71st minute for Fred. Evidence, if ever it was needed, that he isn't trusted to provide the winning spark against top opposition.
But, despite United manager Erik ten Hag endearing himself to the club's faithful fanbase and seemingly waving a magic wand over the the team's humiliating 21/22 season, the acquisition of Antony remains a rare question mark over the Dutchman's decision-making.
New Manchester United winger Antony has failed to impress during his time so far at the club
Antony (L) scored on his Premier League debut during United's win over Arsenal in September
Since then, the Brazilian has struggled to find form and was hooked off during Sunday's defeat
Like with every newcomer to the English top-flight, there is a fair argument that the 22-year-old needs to be given reasonable time to adjust to the demands of playing in what many consider the toughest league in the world, but patience amongst United fans and former players is running out.
Head on to social media and the variously held viewpoints swing from one end of the pendulum to the other. Some United supporters claim the left-footed attacker will reach his world class potential, while others feel he is another South American flop that will eventually move on.
Antony is yet to fully show the silky footwork that dazzled opponents during his Ajax days
United's struggles in the right-wing department have been well catalogued during recent seasons, with Jadon Sancho's high-profile move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 meant to solve all their problems.
Less than two years on and it clearly hasn't worked. Antony's arrival was an admission that the club had got it wrong. Unfortunately, so far all eyes point towards a second costly mistake.
Scoring on his debut in United's 3-1 win over Arsenal near the start of the season, Antony went on to score in his next two league games, but since then highlights have been few and far between as the Brazilian struggled to build on bright moments.
Three Premier League goals - his last coming against Everton in September - and a goal in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup - doesn't exactly match the hype that his overpaid arrival in Manchester brought with it.
Moreover, his seeming inability to run at players and take his opposite man on is becoming an ever-growing frustrating part of the winger's game - and it is prompting many to question why he hasn't faced the axe.
What's gone wrong for Ten Hag's trusted confidant? Or is playing for
