Manchester United’s star winger, Antony, faces a cloud of uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City. The Brazilian talent was stretchered off the field during the first half of the recent Premier League match against Chelsea, casting a shadow over his availability for the crucial final next month.
Antony, who joined the Red Devils in a high-profile £85m transfer from Ajax last summer, has been a regular feature in Erik ten Hag’s United squad. Despite some inconsistencies, the 23-year-old has shown glimpses of his potential, contributing to six goals directly in his debut Premier League season.
The injury occurred during a typical Antony run, where he was challenged by Chelsea’s defender Trevoh Chalobah. Antony’s ankle appeared to get trapped under Chalobah’s leg in what was deemed a fair tackle. The immediate reaction of Antony, clutching his right ankle and signaling to the United bench, suggested a serious issue. The medical team rushed onto the pitch, and after an extended period of treatment, Antony was stretchered off.
Given the severity of the injury and the immediate medical response, Antony’s chances of making a full recovery in time for United’s final Premier League game of the season against Fulham seem slim. The FA Cup final at Wembley is scheduled for the following week, adding further pressure on Antony’s recovery timeline.
In Antony’s potential absence, Marcus Rashford, who was rested for the Chelsea match, could return to the starting lineup. Alternatively, Jadon Sancho, who impressed with a smart assist for Anthony Martial’s first-half goal, could fill the void left by Antony.
