Manchester United's European ambitions suffered a fresh blow as winger Antony was dismissed in a fiery Europa League encounter against Real Betis. The Brazilian international received a straight red card for a dangerous, high challenge on former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.
The incident, which occurred in the second half, immediately sparked controversy. While Antony attempted to play the ball, his boot connected dangerously high on Lo Celso's leg, leaving referee Dr. Felix Brych with little choice but to produce the red card.
A Costly Mistake for United
Antony's dismissal leaves Manchester United facing an automatic one-match ban, ruling him out of a crucial stage of the competition. This moment of indiscipline could prove incredibly costly for Erik ten Hag's side as they navigate the latter rounds of the tournament.
The red card overshadowed what had been a tightly contested match. The sending off forced United to play with ten men for the remainder of the game, putting immense pressure on their defence and altering their tactical approach entirely.
Post-Match Reactions
While the official match report from UEFA is pending, initial analyses suggest the decision was justified due to the studs-up nature of the challenge. This disciplinary mark is another setback in what has been a challenging season for Antony at Old Trafford, with the player now under increased scrutiny for both his on-field actions and decision-making.
For Real Betis and Lo Celso, the foul was a frightening moment, but the Argentine midfielder was fortunately able to continue after receiving treatment. The focus now shifts to how Manchester United will cope without Antony's services in their next European fixture.
