Paul Scholes has backed ‘trim and confident’ Jadon Sancho to start in the FA Cup final against Man City and replace the injured Antony… after impressing on the right wing in the 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea
Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has tipped Jadon Sancho to step in and replace Antony if the injured winger is unable to play in Manchester United’s FA Cup final against crosstown rivals Manchester City in June.
Antony was taken off on a stretcher during United’s 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea on Thursday night after injuring himself in a tussle with Trevoh Chalobah for possession.
Although the Chelsea defender made a clean challenge for the ball, Antony appeared to drag and twist his ankle as he pushed himself into the penalty area.
Erik ten Hag described the injury to his former Ajax player as ‘serious’ after the final whistle, and warned that the club will have to wait ‘at least 24 hours’ before knowing whether the accident caused an early end to Brazilian era.
United have one more Premier League fixture to play but their upcoming final at Wembley gives them a vital opportunity to not only claim their second piece of silverware this season but spoil City’s chances of replicating their historic 1998 /99 Treble.
Jadon Sancho could provide a strong alternative to Antony should he be ruled out of the FA Cup final in June due to his injury
The Brazilian winger writhed in pain after grappling with Trevoh Chalobah in the 4-1 victory
United legend (left) urged Erik Ten Hag to test Sancho at Wembley against Man City
Scholes – a member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble-winning side – was full of praise for Sancho after his display against the Blues, with the 23-year-old slipping into Antony’s role on the right wing after introducing the teammate which is Marcus Rashford. in exchange.
In a role for Premier League Productions, Scholes argued that it was worth the risk for Ten Hag to play Antony so close to the final.
‘You have to play players, and sometimes you are a bit unlucky, and he was unlucky tonight with Antony,’ said Scholes, before adding. ‘But he has a good player coming in.
‘Rashford came off the bench tonight, I think Sancho looked as good as he has looked all season.
I’m a little bit sorry the season has got to end for him, he’s looking fit, he’s looking trim, he’s looking trim, he’s looking quick, and he’s looking so confident as well.
‘So I think he can go into that final.’
Sancho has spent most of his 39 appearances in red this season playing on the left, but Scholes’ high regard for his right-handed play – pioneered during his time at Borussia Dortmund – could give Ten Hag stopped in thought.
Ten Hag tried to comfort Antony as he was carried off the pitch in the first half of the tie
The 23-year-old has had a challenging season but is starting to look back at his best as it ends
The player has been inconsistent since his £73m move to Manchester in 2021, struggling to find form and regular game time.
At the end of 2022, Sancho took a break from first-team action amid concerns over his mental and physical well-being before returning to the squad in February after completing an individual training program in Ten Hag’s native Holland.
In the latter half of the season, the City academy graduate gradually found his footing and was given a more regular role in the starting XI.
United’s final match against Fulham on Sunday – which eliminated the Champions League danger – could give Sancho’s head coach the chance to test Scholes’ theory before June 3.
News/Image Sources: Daily Mail
