Manchester United are doing very well in the Europa League. After five match days, four wins are on the credit side. Success against the Sheriff Tiraspol separatist club is safe. A highly unusual interlude by Antony causes a stir.
Manchester United was looking for a spectacular new signing for the offensive in the summer. As soon as a big name was mentioned as a candidate for a change at some top club, the "Red Devils" immediately appeared in some medium as an interested party. And indeed, United bagged a big deal. Brazilian winger Antony came from Ajax Amsterdam for €95m. With bonus payments, the sum can increase to 100 million euros. The attacker came at the request of coach Erik ten Hag, who had already coached him in the Dutch Eredivisie and made him a big player.
In the Europa League, at a reunion with the separatist club Sheriff Tiraspol, the 22-year-old showed what fantastic qualities he has on the ball. In the 37th minute, he danced with the ball after a pass from youngster Alejandro Garnacho. The ball stuck to the inside of his foot, and Antony turned twice. A magical moment in the "Theatre of Dreams". The action, however, deserves two small "buts" as an addendum.
Antony didn't fiddle with anyone with his dance. An opponent could not be identified in the immediate vicinity (he was standing close to the touchline, in the middle of the opponent's half) and his subsequent through ball to Garnacho went terribly wrong. Twitter user Ryan (an account with almost 100,000 followers) saw a "shocking pass". After all: The United fan community was amazed with happiness.
His coach, on the other hand, was only partially amused. "If there's a trick every now and then, that's nice. As long as it works! If he uses it to attract an opponent and doesn't lose the ball, then it's okay." If such an action should happen because of his tricks, then he would intervene, promised ten Hag. And he made his exceptional talent, who has three goals and zero assists after eleven competitive games, responsible for doing more for the game. "I ask him to run behind more, to dribbling more and tempo dribbling.
But now it's like this: Antony not only impressed with his nonsense dribbling, but also had clever actions in the game. Even if they were not processed profitably. In the early stages he took aim from the edge of the box, but goalkeeper Maksym Kowal was able to save (12'). It was tighter about 15 minutes later, Antony took on three opponents and then brought the ball to playmaker Bruno Fernandes, whose attempt swept past the right post. Antony stayed in the dressing room at half-time and the Red Devils led 1-0 after a header from Diogo Dalot (after a corner). In the end it was 3:0.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated a successful comeback after suspension. As always in the Europa League, the 37-year-old was in the starting XI and made it 3-0 (81st) with a late save. Marcus Rashford had previously made it 2-0 for United (65'). For Ronaldo it was once again a small resurrection. Last week he caused trouble with an early departure and a refusal to come on as a substitute and was dropped from the squad by coach ten Hag for one game (in the Premier League against Chelsea).
Now the return and his next goal against Tiraspol. He had already scored in the first duel, on September 15 he had scored his first goal of the season. It was sporting redemption after a frustrating summer in which he had tried everything to leave United but was unable to find a home with any top club.
