If Erik Ten Hag thought Antony‘s return to action might shift attention away from the allegations made against the Manchester United winger, he was in for an unpleasant surprise on Monday.
No sooner had Ten Hag confirmed that Antony is ‘in consideration’ for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray at Old Trafford, than the United boss was challenged over what message he would be sending to victims of domestic abuse if the Brazilian plays.
Ten Hag asked for the question to be repeated before offering a rather faltering response, alluding to the fact that Antony has neither been arrested or charged over claims that he attacked three women, which the player strongly denies.
‘He co-operated fully, it came out he’s not charged, so…’ said Ten Hag.
Antony has spoken to police in Sao Paulo and again in Manchester on Thursday following his return to the UK after a three-week absence.
Erik ten Hag was questioned over the message playing Antony would send to victim of domestic abuse in his press conference on Monday
The Brazilian could be involved against Galatasaray on Tuesday night at Old Trafford
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United announced he was resuming first-team duties 24 hours later, having initially placed him on fully-paid leave.
Now Ten Hag must decide whether the 23-year-old is in the right shape to play on Europe’s biggest stage, presumably aware that Antony’s chief accuser – ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin – is due to be interviewed by Greater Manchester Police on Thursday.
Ten Hag added: ‘Sunday was his first day back in team training, final training and then we make the decision. So he is under consideration.’
United are desperately in need of the kind of creative spark that persuaded them to part with £82million for Antony 13 months ago, having made their worst ever start to a Premier League season and scored just seven goals in seven games.
Ten Hag’s side did hit three in their Champions League opener in Munich a fortnight ago, but a 4-3 defeat to Bayern only hardened the view that they are competing for second place in Group A with Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen.
Antony spent three weeks in Brazil as he faced multiple allegations, which he vehemently denies, of assault from three separates women
Antony was in attendance as Man United fell to a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday
Last season’s 30-goal top scorer Marcus Rashford has faced criticism after scoring just once so far this term, and Ten Hag conceded: ‘The facts are he is not scoring in this moment, but he had opportunities.
‘If he works hard, if he invests every day, goes with the right focus, and if the team around him supply and support him with movement, then it will come.’
United will face a Galatasaray side unbeaten in 14 games this season after the Turks staged a late two-goal comeback to draw with Copenhagen in Istanbul.
Sat alongside Ten Hag on Monday, four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane echoed his manager’s assertion that United need to be more ruthless in attack.
‘I think what we can improve is to be more efficient in front of goal,’ said Varane.
‘We need to create a lot to score, so that’s the reality of the top level: you have to be efficient to win big trophies.
‘It’s not the start of the season we expected, but I still believe we have the quality enough to compete with the best teams in the world.’
