No one likes to see a player dragged out on a stretcher, and it’s particularly cruel when serious injuries strike the week before the cup final.
You can only sympathize with Antony when the Brazil winger went off in the first half of Manchester United’s win over Chelsea on Thursday night following an innocuous challenge from Trevoh Chalobah.
Antony left the pitch on a stretcher in obvious distress and a clear doubt for the FA Cup final against Manchester City in a week on Saturday. ‘I can tell you it’s serious,’ confided manager Erik ten Hag, but United will wait 24 hours to discover the full extent of the damage.
The city knows what Antony can do. He scored a superb goal at the Etihad in October as United restored a modicum of respectability in a 6-3 derby defeat.
But it has been an up-and-down first season for him following an £82million move from Ajax. Some fans remain unconvinced. For example, the almost universal feeling of excitement when Alejandro Garnacho steps onto the pitch is absent.
Antony’s up-and-down debut season ended when the Brazilian was stretchered off
Casemiro (right) scored the opener as Manchester United triumphed over Chelsea on Thursday
If Antony is ruled out of the Cup Final, Ten Hag will have a choice as the one part of the team where he is quite capable are the wingers. Common sense says he’ll pick Marcus Rashford on the left and Jadon Sancho on the right, two experienced England internationals who play on their preferred sides of the pitch.
But there is no doubt that Antony’s defeat could be Garnacho’s gain. At least, he can be called to the bench earlier in the game.
We have to be careful about placing too much hope on the shoulders of the young Argentina international, but he is the kind of character that seems to relish. He can offer United the x-factor at Wembley that Antony, Sancho and even Rashford cannot.
Garnacho has just returned from acting after suffering an ankle injury of his own. His breakthrough season was interrupted by a challenge from Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters in March which left the teenager on the sidelines for seven weeks.
That’s how football works. One door closed and another door opened. Antony’s absence will be cruel, but United have a very good alternative in Garnacho – and one ready to seize his opportunity.
The £82m star fell to the floor in agony following an innocuous challenge from Trevoh Chalobah
His injury means Alejandro Garnacho (right) has a better chance of starting the FA Cup final
The Ten Hag deserves huge credit for guiding United back into the Champions League with victory over Chelsea, but there was a degree of awkwardness surrounding his success.
United are a club built on challenging for – and winning – the highest honours. Finishing in the top-four can only be viewed as progress rather than success.
Ten Hag inherits a basket case of a club that faltered last season, from the reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the chaos of Ralf Rangnick’s spell as interim manager.
The Dutchman weathered the storm whipped up by Cristiano Ronaldo and steadied the ship enough to lead United into Champions League qualification.
But that in itself was never going to be enough at United and Ten Hag admitted at the end of Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to see off Liverpool’s challenge.
Erik ten Hag sealed a Champions League place for United in his first season at Old Trafford
‘It’s not good enough for me,’ said the United manager. ‘I think in this league, that’s a good base to be in the top four, but we want to compete for the title.
‘Now we are far away, so we have a lot to do. We’ve made progress with this team, with this squad but we need better players if we want to compete for the top.’
Before the game, Luke Shaw echoed those thoughts. ‘We have to challenge for the title with this team,’ said Shaw.
‘With the direction this manager is going, I’m sure we’ll make some big signings this summer. Our goal for next season has to be to win the Premier League and the Champions League. That’s how we should think from now on.’
Luke Shaw insists Manchester United must challenge for the title next campaign
Even before United secured a top-four finish, Ten Hag said transfer targets seemed more keen to join the club this year. But there is no doubt that being able to offer Champions League football will help. United can start from here.
Ten Hag knew he just made par. He, and United, will aim higher from now on.
If there’s any consolation for Chelsea at Old Trafford, it’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn around at a football club.
Manchester United’s last game last season brought a heartbreaking 4-0 defeat at Brighton. The club is going nowhere under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, and there is very little cause for optimism around Old Trafford.
Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has a lot to sort out at Stamford Bridge next term
As Chelsea caretaker Frank Lampard prepares to hand the reins to Mauricio Pochettino after eight defeats in 10 games, the comparisons are clear.
Like Erik ten Hag, Pochettino will be given money to rebuild. He has the personality and experience to energize the whole club and get Chelsea back on track as quickly as they seemed to have lost their way.
It could take at least a year and success next season could be determined by Champions League qualification, like United. But the path to the future is clear.
As long as Pochettino and owner Todd Boehly stick to what they do well, this can be written off as a temporary blip. A learning curve, even if it hurts. United know this very well.
News/Image Sources: Daily Mail
