‘Give Antony his respect’ – Fans hail the winger’s impact in Man Utd victory over Barcelona
Manchester United recorded a comeback 2-1 win over Barcelona at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday night to progress to the Round of 16.
The Red Devils fell behind to Robert Lewandowski’s penalty in the first half before Fred and substitute Antony turned it around in the second half to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Antony’s performance won a lot of praise as he was making a return after three weeks out due to injury. The former Ajax man has been often criticised for being too one-dimensional in the way he plays, but there was none of that after his brilliant goal scored with his powerful left foot.
Fans around the world hailed Antony’s performance for United as they made it to Round of 16 of the UEL, where they will face another Spanish side, Real Betis.
What a Night!
What a Club!
What a Stadium!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥@ManUtd pic.twitter.com/tZ826wD0z7
— Antony Santos (@antony00) February 23, 2023
Antony has scored against Arsenal, Man City and Barcelona this season.
Big game player 😤 pic.twitter.com/5fx70ewZFK
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 23, 2023
We always attack him but to be candid, Antony changed the game yesterday, did the basics & got a very crucial goal.
His passion for the game & for the badge was very evident yesterday going for all tackles.
A club legend in embryo.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) February 24, 2023
Antony has now scored 6 goals in all competitions this season. Only Rashford (24) & Bruno Fernandes (7) have scored more for Manchester United.
Jogo Bonito. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/a29qltzKDv
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
I hope everyone can now see what Antony brings to this Man Utd side. Balance, width, and insane work rate.
Give him the full respect he deserves ❤️🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/qCAT54sOOZ
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) February 23, 2023
The goal wey Antony score against Barcelona, sweet Bruno Fernandes 😍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/Wm5UBa8ke8
— MUIP (@ManUtdInPidgin) February 24, 2023
Antony returns from injury with a BIG goal 💪 pic.twitter.com/Dk3HTagPSz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 23, 2023
Antony has now scored in the Premier League, FACup, League Cup and Europa League this season for ManUtd. 🇧🇷✨ #MUFC || [@MUFCData] pic.twitter.com/FFaKtQtayB
— UnitedBox (@UnitedBoxx) February 24, 2023
Antony's game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
100% tackles won
11 passes completed
3 shots
2 shots on target
1 match-winning goalGoals against Arsenal, Man City & Barcelona already this season. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/LsYvVK2Uok
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
Antony changed the flow of the game for United last night through technical security.
Judge him as a #10 out wide who *can* produce output, but his primary function is to enable his team to control games WITH the ball.
Then you’ll begin to value him the way ten Hag does. pic.twitter.com/buX5nZfjFY
— EBL (@EBL2017) February 24, 2023
Re Antony, something always happens when he’s on the pitch. It might be disruptive (like the incident that led to Casemiro’s red v Palace), he’ll certainly be wasteful at times, but his work rate and touch of class with his left foot is certainly present as well. #MUFC
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) February 24, 2023
Antony has only scored when we're either drawing or losing
— Viran🇲🇾 (@MadnessFc4) February 24, 2023
Antony winner on a huge European night against Barcelona at Old Trafford. Priceless.
— Suhail (@SuhailChowdhary) February 23, 2023
It will be necessary to understand Antony’s profile better. He’s not a winger who will score you 25+ but look back at match highlights and you start to pick up a few things such as his ball retention and ability to open up spaces between the lines.
He is key for us. pic.twitter.com/NgRd8EBLoh
— Ron (@utdronnie) February 23, 2023
Ten Hag saw Weghorst wasn't working, took him off at HT. Subbed Antony on, and he scored.
Saw Wan Bissaka leaving space open on the wing, hooked him for Dalot. Both perfectly timed subs.
Gulf in class between both managers was massive. Xavi should lern a thing or two— OGi 🐐 (@PSGOgi) February 23, 2023
Erik Ten Hag and Sir Alex celebrating Antony's winner. This is beautiful. 😍pic.twitter.com/54J0jYhZl8
— 🔰DieHardUTD 🇳🇬 (@UTDndahi) February 24, 2023
From Ajax to Manchester.
Martínez and Antony have made it in football 🔴🥲
Martínez ruthless as always! Antony changed the game 2nd half. My boys! 🙏🏽🔴 pic.twitter.com/ZzwHGGNLJd
— Isiah Madrigal (@Realisiah1) February 23, 2023
Agbonlahor said Antony was a bluffer yet he is out here banging them in against Barca. I'm starting to question Gabby's punditry..
— Scotty (@arghkid) February 23, 2023
Antony might not be consistent on-the-ball yet but he excels off-the-ball. That work won't show up in the stats. He makes a huge difference in regards to winning back the ball and his ability to help cover larger spaces, which takes pressure off the CMs and RB.
— Tactics Journal (@TacticsJournal) February 23, 2023
This turnaround at Old Trafford is down to Ten Hag
Bringing Antony (forces Balde back, stretches FCB with pace, you can play long to him making FCB pressure useless, helps with pressure) takes the game to where manager wanted it. Open, box to box and Barcelona couldnt stop that
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 23, 2023
I slandered Fred all game, he scored, had just started slandering Antony, he scored. These mfs trying to disgrace me
— Bane (@Sujodamystique) February 23, 2023
Antony is the true definition of a big game player🇧🇷💫 pic.twitter.com/MH8e7dQNRy
— H (@Rashford7i) February 24, 2023
Antony shutting up the haters 🤫 pic.twitter.com/ZhZA4gp5Tj
— Pryde (@utdmotion) February 23, 2023
Insane defensive energy, fast attacking instinct, steady ball handling and fidget spinning too. That's it. Antony Santos is an important aspect in this #mufc squad. pic.twitter.com/BDVdmkb4zi
— Owen™ (@owen_szn_) February 24, 2023
The Brazilian, who made a big money move to the Premier League giants last summer, has found the back of the net six times for the Red Devils this season.
