Carragher roars to Man Utd star’s defence and questions why less effective signing keeps escaping criticism
Jamie Carragher claimed under-fire Man Utd winger Antony has “done more in six months” than a compatriot has in two years, and was left bemused why the latter continues to escape criticism.
Thursday night’s trip to Seville saw Man Utd’s quest for a treble of trophies this season go up in flames. United were off the pace from minute one and sunk to a demoralising 3-0 defeat. Much will be made of the manner of their exit from the Europa League last night, though its roots were in the first leg.
Indeed, Man Utd surrendered a two-goal lead at Old Trafford while the game was seemingly in hand. Own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire summed up the capitulation.
David de Gea endured a torrid evening back in his home country in the second leg. The Spaniard was partly to blame for the first goal, while many believe he could’ve done better for the second and the third brutally highlighted his limitations on the ball.
Erik ten Hag attempted to change the course of the tie at half time when bringing Marcus Rashford on for Jadon Sancho.
It had been another ineffective display from the £73m winger, yet the lightning rod for criticism on United’s flanks this season has generally been Antony.
Taking to Twitter soon after the second half began, pundit Jamie Carragher leapt to Antony’s defence and took a shot at Sancho in the process.
Carragher wrote: “Antony has done more in six months than Sancho has in two years.
“Yet Antony gets plenty of criticism & Sancho gets very little.”
The tweet predictably generated a raft of responses from Man Utd fans, with many commending Carragher for verbalising a view many seemingly hold, but few in the media actually say.
Sancho’s record since arriving at Old Trafford stands at 10 goals and five assists from 69 matches.
By contrast, Antony has notched eight goals and two assists from 36 appearances. Antony is thus operating at a goal contribution once every 3.6 appearances, while Sancho is languishing on a goal contribution once every 4.6 appearances.
If and when Man Utd do sign a high calibre centre-forward this summer, it looks likely Sancho will be the one to miss out.
Antony will retain his starting role on the right wing, while the new striker will see Rashford revert to the left side.
With Bruno Fernandes locking up the No 10 role, Sancho will have plenty of work to do before he can become a regular Man Utd starter again.
