Manchester United is dealing with another personnel issue after аssаult claims were leveled against winger Antony, barely two weeks after the club parted ways with Mason Greenwood.
Following charges made by an ex-girlfriend, the Brazilian star has been withdrawn from the national squad for World Cup qualifying games, and all eyes are on how Manchester United will respond.
The Red Devils revealed this month that forward Greenwood, who was detained in January 2022 on suspicions involving a young woman after photographs and videos were uploaded online, had agreed to leave the club.
The two incidents add to United’s shaky start to the Premier League season. Their form has been uneven, and their unpopular owners, the Glazer family, have reportedly removed the club off the market after failing to receive a bid that satisfies their asking price, adding to the uncertainty.
However, the club’s hierarchy’s immediate priority will be deciding how to handle the Antony situation. According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the player was suspended to “protect the alleged victim, the player, the Brazil team, and the CBF.” In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, the 23-year-old denied physically attacking Gabriela Cavallin, claiming he was the “victim of false accusations.”
It followed the publication of WhatsApp texts reportedly between Antony and Cavallin in which the footballer allegedly threatens his ex-partner. Cavallin says he must apologize for “kicks and assaults” in one of the discussions cited by Brazilian media.
Antony then appears to sаy “sorry” in response. Cavallin is also seen in one photograph with a visible head wоund. Greater Manchester Police confirmed in a statement to Britain’s Daily Telegraph that they were “aware of the allegations made and investigations are ongoing.”
Antony joined United last year at a cost of 95 million euros ($102 million), but has struggled to maintain consistency, scoring only eight goals in 48 games. Football factors, on the other hand, will most certainly take a back seat as United weighs their options following criticism over their handling of the Greenwood case.
The 21-year-old England striker was charged with attempted rаpe and аssаult, but prosecutors stated in February that the case had been dismissed when key witnesses withdrew and fresh evidence was discovered.
Reports that the team planned to keep the player after a six-month internal probe sparked public outrage, and the club announced in August that he would rebuild his career elsewhere.
Greenwood then joined Getafe on loan and practiced with them for the first time on Tuesday. United are expected to face significant pressure to fire Antony while the probe is ongoing.
It comes after a backlash in Spain after federation leader Luis Rubiales kissed Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso after their World Cup victory, igniting a broader issue about how wоmen are treated.
On Tuesday, the Spanish football federation apologized for Rubiales’ actions. United have some breathing room because they won’t be back in action until September 16, following the international break, but the Antony case is the last thing they would have wаnted after a rocky start to the season.
The Red Devils, who finished third last season, have lost two of their first four Premier League games and have had a number of key players injured, including Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, and new recruit Mason Mount.
Erik ten Hag is also debating how to handle a public spat with Jadon Sancho following United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Dutch manager said that the England striker, who was not included in the squad for the Emirates game, had not reached the requisite “level” in training, but Sancho promptly refuted that claim on social media, calling himself a “scapegoat.” Although it is still early in the season, United’s difficulties are becoming increasingly serious.
