Sport
Antony is being absolutely rinsed for his ’embarrassing’ and ‘pointless’ skill against Sheriff Tiraspol
Oh, to be a fly on the wall in Roy Keane's house last night.
Manchester United were back to winning ways in the Europa League night with a 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol, taking their unbeaten streak to seven across all competitions.
However, the biggest talking point on the night wasn’t Erik ten Hag‘s run of results but rather a moment from one of his new signings, Antony, who pulled off a rather fun albeit pretty pointless skill.
lt got a cheer from large sections of the Old Trafford crowd but the reaction online was rather different.
As you can see, not only did commentator Ian Darke quip that the skill looked like something “out of Strictly Come Dancing“, but co-commentator and one-time Red Devil Robbie Savage dubbed the move as “quite embarrassing, actually”.
Trademark move or not, the fact he put his pass out of play immediately after didn’t help either.
Former United players and pundits Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves didn’t exactly give a glowing review of Antony’s showboating either, remarking that the skill was “ridiculous” and didn’t really achieve anything, with Scholes adding that he didn’t do much else in the game either.
While the pair admitted that you can afford to do a little bit of showboating and try creative things on a pitch when you’re three or four-nil up, Antony did this when the scoreline was still 0-0.
Moreover, some have suggested that Antony’s spin was somewhat disrespectful to the away team who travelled all the way from Moldova for what, no doubt, would have felt like a big occasion on their list of fixtures this season.
Pundits over in the Sky studios were equally displeased with the ‘Antony spin’:
On the other hand, many Reds fans and neutral football fans alike got a laugh out of it, branding it as nothing more than a moment of entertainment and joking that they hope he does daft stuff like that “every week”.
Some even pointed out that he drew defenders’ attention while Casemiro made his run. That would be nice if the pass had actually come off.
Either way, as you might expect, people on social media have had their fair share of fun following the inexplicable bit of skill:
Though his face gave away said plenty at the time, ten Hag did address the moment, admitting that while “a trick like that is nice” it should be used so long as its “functional, you’re not losing the ball” or you’re “attracting players — then it’s ok”.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman went on to say that he will “correct him” in the future when it comes to showing his flair on the pitch.
The 22-year-old Brazilian has made an otherwise positive start to life in Manchester, having scored several goals already and even making history with his finish against Everton.
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What do you reckon Uniteds fan, just a bit of fun or pointless nonsense?
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Featured Image — BT Sport/ESPN
Sport
Tragedy as two superbike riders die in ‘catastrophic accident’ at Cheshire event
Daisy Jackson
Two riders have tragically died in a ‘chain reaction’ accident at a superbike race in Cheshire.
Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died of their injuries following a crash involving 11 riders.
The ‘catastrophic accident’ occurred yesterday at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
The race was immediately stopped so that trackside medical services could attend to the 11 riders who had fallen.
Due to the ‘extreme severity’ of the incident, the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.
Two riders lost their lives and another has sustained significant injuries and remains in hospital.
Owen Jenner, 21 years old, was treated trackside and taken to the circuit medical centre , but died from a catastrophic head injury.
Meanwhile Shane Richardson was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries, but died prior to arrival.
Another rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, has also been transferred to hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries.
Five further riders were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries – the remaining involved riders were uninjured.
The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.
Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).
“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.
“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.
“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”
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Featured image: British Superbikes
Sport
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Now the boss at Besiktas, the 52-year-old has won 50% of his games so far, with the Turkish side on course for a third-place finish.
For context, he only took the job back in January.
What did you make of Ole’s revelations then, Reds? And, more importantly, how do you look back on his time in charge at the Theatre of Dreams?
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Featured Images — soccer.ru (via Wikimedia Commons)/BBC Sport
