In an effort to alter the course of Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle, Erik ten Hag substituted Wout Weghorst and Antony, and the differences in their responses were telling.
Although Erik ten Hag may not be the Premier League manager with the most charisma, his varied responses when making a double substitute in the second half said a lot.
In an effort to get control of the situation, the Manchester United manager substituted hot-and-cold winger Antony and struggling striker Wout Weghorst shortly before Newcastle took the lead and went on to win 2-0. Ten Hag only offered Weghorst a sʟᴀᴘ on the back when he finally left, even though he did so considerably faster than the disgruntled Antony. Weghorst had made seven touches and had otherwise performed poorly.
The United boss put his arm over Antony’s back while ostensibly explaining why he chose to insert Jadon Sancho, despite the ꜰᴀᴄᴛ that Antony had been playing around with Newcastle defender Dan Burn for the most of the game. The Brazilian con artist, who cost £86 million to leave Ajax, where he collaborated with Ten Hag, has received harsh criticism this season.
With his lung-busting efforts, Weghorst, a Dutch international on loan from Burnley, has won over some fans. Although if Ten Hag hasn’t ruled out signing Weghorst permanently, his two goals since his debut in January speak the tale, and the Red Devils are seeking the signing of Harry Kane this summer.
“Of course [he could stay]. I think he is doing a lot of elements of football really well,” the United boss declared in his press conference on Friday. Wout is doing a really good job for us. He is the leader of the process in pressing, he starts the press and is very good in backward pressing. He is also taking up [good] positions and in his link-up play he’s doing really well.
“He is making good movements, making space for others, he’s also good in set-plays. He is really contributing to this team. I think after Christmas we have played 25 games and lost two – and Wout played almost all of the games so he is really part of the success.”
When Antony was substituted off against Newcastle, Erik ten Hag wrapped his arm around him.
Ten Hag is aware that the 23-year-old needs time to acclimate to the demands of English football, but Antony is here for the long haul and is committed to the team. The Dutch strategist said in a January interview with ITV: “I believe he’s developing. Also, we want him to be more direct, flexible, and energetic. There is yet more to come, and I believe he is capable of doing it. I believe he has a lot of potential, which he must continue to grow each day.”
Ten Hag added: “Following a recent outstanding performance in which United defeated Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa League: “He might have done better in the first half to take more initiative, show more bravery, go farther behind, challenge more opponents, and use his pace. His performance in the second half really improved, and he scored a crucial goal.”
Antony’s last act before being substituted vs Newcastle leaves Man Utd fans exasperated
When Anthony slowed down Newcastle’s onslaught in his final act against Manchester United, the supporters were furious.
At St James’ Park on Sunday, headers from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson earned the Magpies a well-deserved 2-0 victory as the Red Devils were still looking for an early goal in the second half. Beginning the game on his preferred right side, Antony engaged Newcastle left-back Dan Burn and frequently caused difficulties for the home team.
About the hour mark, however, Erik ten Hag decided that the Brazilian winger had served his purpose and substituted Jadon Sancho for him. Anthony Martial also replaced Wout Weghorst. Antony’s final contribution was to hinder a United onslaught, which infuriated the high-seated patrons at Saint James’.
Red Devils fans were as disappointed with his teammates for failing to take back a game they had already conceded early. Newcastle earned a deserving victory with to two headers from Willock and Wilson, moving them above of United into third position.
Prior to Wednesday’s critical match at home against Brentford, United would completely fall out of the Champions League spots if Spurs can at least draw away at Everton on Monday. The Red Devils’ last Premier League victory came on February 19 against Leicester, a game they easily should have lost.
The legendary United player Gary Neville admitted that Newcastle deserved all three points, telling Sky Sports: “Manchester United occasionally flip-flops from one performance to another in the first half and second half. You wondered at halftime whether they’d squander their chance.
“But Erik ten Hag has not been able to impact his team in this second half, they’ve really let him down today. Newcastle have been fantastic, they’ve been beaten all ends up. 21 shots [for Newcastle], Manchester United have only had one on target out of their six. 41 touches in the opposition box, you have no complaints if you’re a Manchester United fan today – you’re well-beaten.”
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given weighed in with his verdict post-match, saying: “It’s a massive result, we said before this game how big it was. I think Gary Neville called it right in commentary, Eddie Howe could smell ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ, made ᴘᴏsɪᴛɪᴠᴇ substitutions and the second goal killed it off.
“It’s a brilliant result in the grand scheme of Champions League football, the boost this will give to the squad, to the players, and hopefully they can get the job done and finish top four. It’s a special day for these fans as well, they’ll be enjoying themselves after the game, brilliant three points.”
