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Manchester United have reportedly refuted any suggestions that Antony was dropped from the club’s matchday squad against Bournemouth on Saturday.
United played out a 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium vs. the Cherries. The Red Devils’ goals were grabbed by Bruno Fernandes in either half of the clash.
The result means that Erik ten Hag’s men have won just one of their last seven Premier League games.
United are also now languishing in seventh position in the top-flight standings with six games of the campaign left to play.
To highlight just how poor the 20-time English champions have been this term, they currently have four fewer points after 32 games this season than they did under David Moyes in the disastrous 2013/14 term, soon after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
Aside from the players who are currently sidelined with injury, the most notable omission from the travelling contingent that made its way to the Vitality was Antony. Before the match, it emerged that the Brazilian was injured and that was why he didn’t travel.
Antony misses out through injury. United’s 57th of the season #mufc
— Rich Fay (@RichFay) April 13, 2024
However, after the final whistle, claims came out that the winger was actually not injured and had been dropped by Ten Hag due to disagreements over playing time. It was stated that Antony felt he deserved to start against Bournemouth and when he was informed he would be on the bench, he walked away from training.
Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about the peculiar situation, “Manchester United say Antony missed the Bournemouth game through injury after he was unable to complete their final training session on Friday.”
“Club say suggestion he was dropped is ‘completely false’”.
#mufc say Antony missed the Bournemouth game through injury after he was unable to complete their final training session on Friday. Club say suggestion he was dropped is ‘completely false’.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 14, 2024
This was also reiterated by National World’s Rich Fay.
United say Antony missed the Bournemouth draw due to injury after he failed to complete their final training session on Friday. The suggestion he was dropped described as ‘completely false’ #mufc
— Rich Fay (@RichFay) April 14, 2024
What United have failed to reveal is the exact nature and extent of Antony’s physical setback, if that is indeed the reason why he didn’t feature vs. Bournemouth.
United return to action in a week’s time when they take on Coventry City at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.
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