Manchester United new-boy Antony is the latest Premier League star to be embroiled in a showboating row following his debut vs Arsenal.
The £85million summer signing got his Old Trafford stay off to the perfect start as he scored during the Red Devils’ impressive 3-1 victory over the previously perfect Gunners. But despite being the toast of his new club, Antony has come in for some criticism following a piece of skill during the opening 45 minutes.
The incident occurred when he approached Oleksandr Zinchenko and performed a number of unnecessary tricks in front of the stationary defender. Erik ten Hag has now been told to urge his new charge to curb those sort of antics, with bizarre claims he could have his ankles "sawn off" if he doesn't.
Ex-Ajax boss Henk ten Cate was unimpressed the United boss should hold immediate talks with his newest recruit: “He is not really at the top yet. I measure that by the return that he had in the Dutch league [18 goals and 14 assists in 57 games]. That’s a bit disappointing,” he said whilst on punditry duties for Voetbal Primeur.
“In England, you get sawn off at your ankles. If I was his coach, I would tell him to stop doing that [showboating].”
And after Tottenham striker Richarlison came in for rough treatment after his own bout of showboating vs Nottingham Forest, Gary Neville has warned United's own Brazilian star is risking being 'kicked in the air' by annoyed opponents. "He scored a really good goal, but it was there for him as it was set up for him," Neville said to Sky Sports about Antony’s United bow. "I thought he would've found that game tough.
"I wasn't surprised he was taken off after an hour. Look, the game was electric, quick and it was his first for Man United. The big thing to take out of the game was that he scored. He'll play a lot better in his general game. However, he'll get kicked up in the air if he keeps doing things like that [showboating]."
Antony unsurprisingly decided to focus on the positives of his first United appearance and the immediate bond he showed with supporters after his maiden Premier League goal. "To score my first goal and share this moment with the crowd, with a great atmosphere, was brilliant,” he explained.
"From the moment I stepped on to the pitch I already had goosebumps, because I know how much I wanted to be here and I know how much the crowd wanted this. When I saw the ball going in, and the net shaking, I expressed all my feelings the way I did. Yes, it gave me goosebumps, for sure."
