There appears to be no end in sight to Manchester United’s woes after it was confirmed on Sunday, September 10 that their winger Antony would not be making an immediate return to the club.
United released a statement on Sunday, September 10, announcing the 23-year-old’s return to the club would be delayed following accusations of assault facing the Brazilian.
Earlier in the week, Antony was dropped by Brazil following allegations of battery made by his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavalin.
As reported on Sky Sports, two more individuals have come forth with more allegations against Antony, but the winger maintains his innocence.
What is certain, however, is the fact that United will be without the services of their winger for the forseeable future, a development that will come as a huge blow to Erik Ten Hag.
The United gaffer already has enough problems in his squad as he was embroiled in a public spat with Jadon Sancho, while the Red Devils’ injury list continues to grow.
Antony’s absence will once again leave the United boss with some tough decisions to make. Old Trafford Central takes a look at plausible options for Ten Hag in the right wing.
- Integrate Facundo Pellistri
The Uruguay international is certainly not Ten Hag’s first choice in the right wing, but the manager is short of options at the moment.
Pellistri was in action for Uruguay during the international break, helping his side to a 3-1 win against Chile in the early hours of Saturday.
His performance in the 71 minutes he played was so impressive that he earned a social media ‘endorsement’ from veteran striker Luis Suarez.
- Mend relationship with Sancho
Alternatively, Ten Hag could be forced to mend his relationship with the most suitable option for the right wing – Jadon Sancho.
Sancho was absent from the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, and there were hints of a broken relationship with his manager after the winger went on social media to contradict the manager’s claims that he was not training up to standard with the rest of the team.
Meanwhile, latest rumours indicate Sancho could be tempted back to his former club Borussia Dortmund.
- Tweak formation
Ten Hag traditionally plays with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which can revert to a 4-1-4-1 when United is on the defence.
With the team now devoid of right wingers, the manager may need to tweak his formation to accommodate the players he currently has at his disposal. Marcus Rashford could easily play in the right flanks, but as seen in the Arsenal defeat, the England international is much more effective when he is cutting in from the left.
The return of Rasmus Hojlund, who prefers to play as a lone target man, is also a major boost for Ten Hag.
United’s next game is against Brighton and Hove Albion on September 16.
