Manchester United does not need additional allegations after their dismal start to the Premier League season, injury crises, and damaged reputation following their handling of the Mason Greenwood case. threatened into attacking Antony.
New claims against the Brazilian winger, all of which he denies, have startled the footballing world and United fans, leading to more criticism of the club’s handling of the severe allegations against its players. United chose to put Antony on leave while he dealt with the allegations, affecting the team as a whole and leaving Erik ten Hag without the player he lobbied the club to sign for a reported £85 million ($106 million). Last year or more.
Antony has not scored or assisted in any of United’s four Premier League games this season, but Ten Hag has high praise for his defensive prowess. His absence, however, gives a golden opportunity for the rest of the Ten Hag squad to step up and demonstrate their worth by replacing him in the starting lineup.
GOAL evaluates the manager’s roster choices before a string of important games, including United’s home Premier League opener against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and Saturday’s match against Brighton in the Premier League.
Bruno Fernandes, please go to the right.
Ten Hag’s most obvious choice, and certainly the most likely conclusion, is to play Bruno Fernandes on the right, as he has done in the past when Antony has been absent. The Dutchman accomplished this in United’s 2-1 loss to Man City in the FA Cup final and in victories over Man City, Aston Villa, and Leicester in the previous season.
The only drawback is that it could force Fernandes, perhaps United’s most valuable player, to spend too much time on the bench, reducing his impact on the team’s performance. Because the captain is slower than other wingers, he is more suited to the positions of number 10 or 8.
The last thing the manager wants to do is take shortcuts, even if Fernandes has shown he is willing to play any role when necessary and is happy to sacrifice his inventiveness to benefit the team. a talisman with wings as its symbol. United’s last home game was a victory against Nottingham Forest with the player at number 10 for United.
While playing as Portugal’s No. 8 on the right side of a three-man midfield, Fernandes dominated against Luxembourg, helping his team to a 9-0 victory with a goal and three assists. If Fernandes is called up to replace Antony right away, the squad will be less vulnerable in midfield thanks to the arrival of Sofyan Amrabat. However, it is evident that this is not a long-term answer to what might be a long-term problem.
Please reconsider benching Jadon Sancho.
The charges against Antony are highlighted since they came less than 24 hours after Sancho’s public rupture with Ten Hag following the Arsenal match, which caused United another issue.
After a careless social media post in which Sancho accused Ten Hag of using him as a scapegoat, it looked like he would no longer be playing for the club, and he was almost immediately signed by Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq before the Saudi Pro League transfer window closed. A starting spot has opened up for Sancho after Antony’s departure, and he can finally put his disagreement with Ten Hag in the past.
Sancho has had his moments since leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but he has yet to live up to his £74 million ($92 million) transfer fee. His return to the club is contingent on his willingness to step up and put his habit of playing at the wrong times behind him via hard effort. If the winger publicly responded to Ten Hag, the key question is whether or not Ten Hag will forgive him. The Dutchman has a reputation for being harsh on players like Sancho who challenge his authority or consistently produce subpar results.
Sancho’s actions are less serious than those of which Antoine is accused, thus they can be ignored. And the winger has made the first move toward peace by removing the hateful tweet. Ten Hag has every reason to be upset with the 23-year-old after being so understanding and forgiving to him last season, but he should never write off a player’s skill entirely. particularly in light of Antony’s death.
Don’t doubt Facundo Pellistri’s abilities.
Last season, the Uruguayan made a few appearances, totaling 214 minutes, mostly as a substitute, before returning from his loan in August 2022.
To get more playing time with the first team, he was supposed to be sent out again, but it was decided he should stay to provide Ten Hag depth. labour. Indeed, the Dutchman will be looking for another long season full of trophy opportunities after United advanced to the quarterfinals of the Europa League and the finals of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season.
Last year, Ten Hag was so impressed with Pellistri’s work ethic in training that he brought him on a preseason tour of the United States and used him as a substitute in late-game situations against Wolves and Tottenham. The 21-year-old, like Sancho, was included in the starting lineup against Arsenal. Pellistri is an agile and assured dribbler, but he lacks the experience to be a regular replacement for Antony and, like Garnacho, seems to be at his best in short bursts off the bench. This is the main period of rock penetrating. Antony’s off-the-field troubles ensure he will receive plenty of opportunities more this season, especially in cup competitions, and Ten Hag’s choice to keep him despite loaning the outstanding Alvaro Fernandez to Granada shows they have faith in the player.
Anywhere you go, play Mason Mount.
While Antony is out of the picture, Ten Hag also has Mason Mount to choose from. This month, the former Chelsea midfielder is due to return from an injury that kept him out of games against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal. He was transferred to United for £60 million ($74 million), so he has a lot to show after a disappointing debut. His numbers were especially bad versus Wolves, as he had no opportunities created, no crosses made, no tackles won, and no duels won. Mount was a hot commodity this summer, and Ten Hag campaigned hard to get United to sign him. Perhaps right now is the best time to use it.
Mount prefers the No. 8 position, although he has extensive experience on the wing and has produced some of his best work for Chelsea while operating on the right side of Thomas Tuchel’s attacking 3-4-2-1.
Mount’s renown off-the-ball and pressing skills mean he won’t leave United as vulnerable as Garnacho or Pellistri, and he’ll do less damage to Antony’s defense than either of them. The Brazilian’s absence is unfortunate for United, but it may provide Mount with an opportunity to shine.
Facundo Pellistri is quite capable, therefore have faith in him.
The Uruguayan made a few appearances during the previous season, playing a total of 214 minutes off the bench. He will be returning from his loan in August of 2022.
He was going to be reassigned so that he could spend more time with the first team, but it was ultimately deemed that Ten Hag would benefit from his presence. labour. After leading United to the finals of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the Dutchman will be hoping for another long season full of trophy opportunities this year.
Ten Hag took Pellistri on a preseason tour of the United States last year after being pleased by his work ethic in training. Pellistri was utilized as a substitute in the last minutes of games against Wolves and Tottenham. Like Sancho, the 21-year-old was a starter for the match against Arsenal. While Pellistri has the skills to be an effective substitute for Antony, he lacks the experience to do so and, like Garnacho, looks to be at his best in brief spurts off the bench. The majority of the rock-penetrating action takes place now. Ten Hag’s decision to maintain Antony despite loaning the exceptional Alvaro Fernandez to Granada demonstrates their faith in the player, since his off-field issues guarantee that he will earn plenty of opportunities more this season, especially in cup tournaments.
Play Mason Mount wherever you go.
Now that Antony is no longer an option, Ten Hag has Mason Mount as a replacement. Chelsea’s former midfielder will be back in action this month after missing matches against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal due to injuries. After a dismal start, United paid £60 million ($74 million) to acquire him. Against Wolves, he had a particularly dismal game statistically, creating no chances, making no crosses, winning no tackles, and losing no duels. Mount was a highly sought after player this summer, and Ten Hag led the charge to have United sign him. Maybe now is the perfect time to put it to use.
Although Mount has vast experience on the wing and has done some of his greatest work for Chelsea on the right side of Thomas Tuchel’s attacking 3-4-2-1, he enjoys playing in the No. 8 position.
Mount’s famed off-the-ball and pressing abilities make him less dangerous to Antony’s defense than either Garnacho or Pellistri, and he leaves United less exposed as a result. United would be better off with the Brazilian, but Mount could benefit from his absence.
