Schmeichel slams Antony's game understanding & wants Ten Hag to bench £85m flop

Peter Schmeichel believes Antony does not 'understand the game' and has urged Erik ten Hag to 'rethink' his position in the side after another insipid display.

The Brazilian had another night to forget on Saturday as Manchester United ended 2023 with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest.

Dropped for the win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Antony regained his place in the starting XI at the City Ground due to Rasmus Hojlund's absence, with Marcus Rashford moved up-front and Alejandro Garnacho switching to the left wing.

'I really think he should rethink Antony's position,' the former United goalkeeper told South African broadcaster SuperSport.

'He doesn't give much to the team. He frustrates his teammates. It's really frustrating.

'He’s had an opportunity for a long time, this is a player that hasn’t scored this season, he’s not made an assist and he’s not scored, it’s like he’s not really understanding the game.'

Antony became the second most expensive player in United's history when he followed ten Hag to Old Trafford from Ajax for £82million last year, but has never come close to live up to his price tag.

The Brazilian is yet to record his first goal or assist in 21 appearances in all competitions this season.

To put that dismal return into context, Jadon Sancho has more goals and assist over the same period, despite being banished from the first team since September.

Facundo Pellistri has as many assists this season as Antony has since last April, despite making just two starts.

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are enduring a miserable season themselves, yet they both have more goals and assists this term than Antony has delivered over the last eight months.

Schmeichel acknowledged Antony's dismal product was not down to a lack of effort and questioned whether he was simply following ten Hag's instructions, in which case the Dutchman would have to shoulder the blame.

'As a winger, there are certain things you expect them to do, go into this area [the byline] and cross the ball on your right foot but he doesn’t,' he said.

'He’s trying here, he’s trying but he hasn’t got the pace and he knows he hasn’t.

'We don’t know what the message is from the manager, he might’ve been asked to do what he’s been doing, then the manager would be responsible for no assists, no goals all of this season.'

Speaking after United's defeat at Forest, Gary Neville savaged the club for paying £85m for Antony.

'Scouts can't have gone off to watch Antony and signed him off as being worth £85m,' he said.

'It looks like they've allowed Erik ten Hag to overrule them which is worrying because you need strength of leadership at the very top.

'I blame the football club for brining him in for £85m. It's not that boy's fault that he's been brought in as one of the most expensive wide players in world football.

'He should never have been brought in for that money.'