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ESPN pundit says ten Hag’s decision on one Manchester United star just made no sense
Steve Nicol has hit out at Erik ten Hag after Antony endured another difficult game for Manchester United in their defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Antony is still waiting for his first goal or assist this season as United were beaten 2-1 at the City Ground by Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
The Brazilian is quickly becoming the poster boy for the numerous transfer mistakes the club have made over the last decade. Manchester United paid £86 million for the 23-year-old, according to .
Steve Nicol couldn’t believe Antony started for Manchester United
And on current evidence, the winger is not going to get close to justifying that fee. Barring one bright display against Galatasaray perhaps, it has been a miserable season for Antony.
Erik ten Hag took him off after 54 minutes against Forest in a game they would go on to lose 2-1.
Any momentum which could have been gained from the 3-2 victory over Aston Villa has evaporated. And with that, Steve Nicol told that he was baffled as to why Antony started – even with Marcus Rashford having to go up front to replace Rasmus Hojlund.
“Why was he playing? You’ve got Garnacho who played on his side that was the spark in the so-called fantastic second-half against Aston Villa. So why don’t you leave it? It makes no sense,” he said.
“Figure something else out. Are you telling me you can’t figure something else out? Because Rashford, as good as his goal was, he’s not a centre forward.”
Another really poor signing
Obviously, it is not Antony’s fault that Manchester United paid so much for him. So much of the criticism should be directed at whoever decided that that would be a good piece of business.
He clearly has talent and quality. But 11 goal involvements in 65 games in all competitions is clearly nowhere near good enough given the money spent on him.
Unfortunately for United, Antony is not the anomaly. They have parted with some huge sums in recent years. And of their top 10 biggest spends (via ), you could only really argue that Bruno Fernandes has been a good signing.