A former England international, Joe Cole, has suggested that Brazilian winger Antony may be nearing the end of his time at Manchester United due to his difficulties in adjusting to the physical intensity of the Premier League. According to Cole, Antony’s struggles with the demands of English football could see him departing Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
Antony, who joined Manchester United from Ajax in a high-profile £82 million transfer, has not yet lived up to the expectations that accompanied his move. Now in his third season with the club, the Brazilian winger has found it hard to secure a consistent place in the starting lineup and make a significant impact.
Cole highlighted that despite Antony’s technical abilities and flair, which made him a standout player in the Dutch league, the more physical nature of the Premier League seems to be overwhelming for the winge
This season, Antony’s role within the team has become increasingly limited. He featured briefly in United’s 2-1 loss to Brighton last month, but his appearances have been sporadic at best.
With players like Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Amad Diallo performing well and ahead of him in the team selection, Antony has been reduced to a peripheral figure. His absence from key games has raised questions about his future with the club, with Cole suggesting that Antony may already be contemplating a move elsewher
Cole emphasized that while Antony thrived in the Eredivisie with Ajax, his style of play hasn’t translated well to the more physically demanding environment of English football. “The issue with Antony at Manchester United is that he was a great fit for the Dutch league,” Cole remarked.
He acknowledged the Brazilian’s technical talents, which include his dribbling skills and creativity, but stressed that these qualities alone are not enough to succeed in the Premier League, where physical strength and intensity are crucia
Even though Antony contributed to Manchester United’s 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, scoring a penalty in that match, Cole remains doubtful about his future role in the squad.
Antony has not featured in United’s last three Premier League games, including the recent goalless draw with Crystal Palace, where the team struggled to find attacking solutions. His absence from the lineup, even when United is facing attacking issues, suggests that he has fallen out of favor with the coaching staf
Cole also pointed out that Antony was left out of the squad for other significant matches, including Manchester United’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City and the club’s opening Premier League game against Fulham. These omissions further highlight Antony’s declining status within the team, fueling speculation that his time at Old Trafford may be coming to an en
In an interview with Paddy Power, Cole shared his belief that Antony might already be considering his next move away from Manchester United. “I believe Antony is already thinking about a move away from the club, and I think Manchester United will eventually let him go,” said Cole. He went on to explain that while Antony is still young and should be entering the prime of his career soon, his playing style seems better suited to other leagues outside of England.
Antony’s lack of progress at United has led to growing speculation about his future, and Cole’s comments reflect the sentiment that the Brazilian winger may not have what it takes to succeed in the Premier League. While Antony may still have time to turn his career around, his struggles at Manchester United have cast doubt on his long-term prospects at the club.. d.f.l.e.r.
