In a challenging encounter on Thursday night, Manchester United faced Fenerbahce in Istanbul, ultimately settling for a hard-fought draw.
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The match saw Erik ten Hag’s side initially take the lead with a goal from Christian Eriksen in the first half. However, Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri leveled the score early in the second half, leaving United searching for a late winner.
Antony, who came on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford in the 73rd minute, unfortunately, had to be carried off the pitch due to a sprained ankle just 10 minutes later.
Initially, the Brazilian winger appeared to be in a position to continue playing but soon went down again, indicating he needed medical attention. A stretcher was promptly brought onto the field, and Antony was assisted off in the 89th minute.
Post-match, Antony was seen leaving the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium with a protective boot and crutches, raising concerns about the severity of his injury.
Fortunately, reports suggest that the injury may not be as serious as initially feared, although it remains uncertain how long the former Ajax star will be sidelined.
Throughout the season, Antony has struggled for consistent first-team opportunities, managing to start only one game in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley.
In the Premier League, his appearances have totaled just 27 minutes across two matches. Erik ten Hag recently emphasized the need for Antony to demonstrate consistency in training to secure a regular spot in the squad.
After the match, Ten Hag expressed sympathy for Antony’s situation, noting, “It’s really unlucky for him. I feel real compassion for him, especially when he has worked so hard in training.”
The manager acknowledged the positive impact of Antony’s training performances, highlighting that he deserved his opportunity to play.
However, seeing him exit so quickly due to injury was disappointing. Ten Hag added, “Hopefully, it’s not too bad; we have to wait 24 hours for what the assessment is.”
As United moves forward, fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on Antony’s recovery and the potential impact on the team’s performance in the upcoming fixtures.
Will there be any difference?