Footage has emerged showing Antony’s irritation at playing left-back during extra time in Manchester United’s epic FA Cup win over Liverpool.
After scoring the dramatic late equalizer to force extra time, the Brazilian was placed in an unfamiliar position after Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s lead to 3-2.
United boss Erik ten Hag launched an all-out attack in a desperate bid to save the game – and his side’s chances of winning silverware this season – by introducing midfielder Mason Mount in place of defender Victor Lindelof.
This meant a tactical reshuffle which saw Antony drop to left-back and Bruno Fernandes slot in alongside Harry Maguire in centre-half, with Mount, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen in midfield behind Marcus’ front three compound Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and match winner Amad Diallo. .
Video filmed from the stands shows Antony walking away from the Ten Hag team’s speech at half-time in extra time and making a “stunning” gesture before looking at his manager in disbelief.
A new video has been released showing Antony’s irritation and bewilderment when Erik Ten Hag asked him to play at left back during the second half of extra time in Man United’s epic victory.
Marcus Rashford had to intervene to calm the Brazilian after the tactical change
Antony had earlier forced extra time by scoring a spectacular late goal to make it 2-2.
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He then sulks as he walks away and Rashford and then Eriksen have to tell him to continue. Even goalkeeper Andre Onana comes to organize everyone before Antony complains a second time to Rashford.
The Brazilian then makes another gesture of frustration to the bench and blows before Liverpool begin the second period of extra time.
Remarkably, Ten Hag’s new tactic had the desired effect as goals from Rashford and Amad saw United claim a dramatic 4-3 victory over their bitter rivals to reach the semi-finals.
The positive end of the match clearly changed the mind of Antony who then declared: “Sacrifice, sacrifice, when the coach says that, we find it a little strange, but sacrificing yourself for the group, sacrificing yourself for the team, that’s fine with me.”
The £85 million winger has endured a difficult campaign and had scored just one goal all season before Sunday – that against League Two’s Newport County earlier in the FA Cup race.
But when he replaced Rasmus Hojlund after 71 minutes at Old Trafford, Antony took steps towards redemption as he equalized for United at 2-2 to force extra time.
But United once again looked dead and buried midway through extra time after Elliott’s deflected shot restored Liverpool’s lead.
Refusing to give in, the Ten Hag side equalized through Rashford’s calm finish into the bottom corner in the 112th minute after McTominay had scored.
The Brazilian was clearly upset by Ten Hag’s demands to play a defensive role during extra time.
Even United goalkeeper Andre Onana had to step in to put Antony in the right position.
Antony takes one last look at the dugout to confirm that he is being asked to play left back.
£85m striker hopes crucial goal will revive his Manchester United fortunes
Young winger Amad then won the tie with looming penalties, finishing off a breakaway attack after Garnacho brought him in.
Amad was then sent off for a second bookable offense after removing his shirt in celebration.
United held on to set up a semi-final at Wembley against Coventry City next month and dash Liverpool’s dreams of winning a quadruple in Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season.
Ten Hag told beIN Sports: “It’s very important to him. He struggled so much. Firstly, he wasn’t himself, he’s to blame for that.
“And then he lost confidence, and now he has to fight back. We see in the last couple of weeks he’s coming back.
“I see in training, I see the Antony I used to work with at Ajax, and I also used to work here in the first weeks.
Antony celebrates outside the Stretford End after scoring United’s equalizer at 2-2
Erik ten Hag hopes his expensive signing can return to his best form after a difficult season
“He has to fight back, and I’m sure he will, because you saw that goal.
“But not only in goal. When he plays left-back, he defends very well. In some systems he can play on that side.
“He’s not a defensive player, don’t get me wrong, because we’ve seen he can score goals.”
After the international break, Manchester United will play back-to-back matches in London against Brentford and Chelsea before another clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on April 7.