Manchester United's troubled winger Antony has plunged his Old Trafford career into further crisis after being shown a straight red card for a moment of sheer madness in a pre-season friendly against Real Betis.
The Brazilian international, who cost the club a staggering £85 million, saw his temper boil over in the second half of the clash in Spain. In a moment that will infuriate manager Erik ten Hag, Antony lashed out at Betis defender Abner Vinicius with a petulant kick, leaving the referee with no choice but to dismiss him.
This latest incident is a hammer blow to the 23-year-old, whose first season in England was already widely regarded as a major disappointment. With the new Premier League season just around the corner, this act of indiscipline could not have come at a worse time.
Ten Hag's Patience Wearing Thin
The dismissal is set to trigger a furious reaction from boss Erik ten Hag, who has previously defended his former Ajax protégé. The Dutch manager has built his reputation on discipline and high standards, and he will be seething at such a needless and unprofessional loss of control in a preparatory match.
This red card is more than just a minor setback; it's a significant stain on Antony's pre-season. It raises serious questions about his mentality and his ability to cope with the intense pressure that comes with his price tag and playing for a club of United's magnitude.
A Cloud Over His United Future
With the club actively pursuing attacking reinforcements, including Atalanta's Rasmus Højlund, Antony's place in the starting eleven is far from secure. This moment of recklessness will only fuel the debate over whether he can ever justify the enormous investment United made in him.
For a player desperately needing a strong campaign to win over his critics, this is a disastrous start. All eyes will now be on how Ten Hag handles the situation and whether Antony can learn from this costly error before the serious business of the new season begins.
