The problem with social media is that, even when the full time whistle blows and your team’s defeat is confirmed, the humiliation doesn’t often stop there.
Just ask the Manchester United supporters who had their Sunday’s ruined by an insipid 3-0 home defeat by local rivals Man City at the end of October, a game summed up by some very slack defending and a highly-contentious penalty which gifted Pep Guardiola’s side a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
At least one member of Erik ten Hag’s squad showed a bit of fight, even if Antony’s rather petulant kick out at Jeremy Doku was not so much one out of the Roy Keane playbook and more reminiscent of Hannibal Mejbri clattering into Liverpool players during a four-goal hammering at Anfield.
Antony was booked. Perhaps a little fortunate not to avoid a straight red.
And Doku, Man City’s £55 million summer signing, did not waste an opportunity to rub United’s – or Antony’s – noses in it.
Antony’s Manchester United career looked dead recently
“Stay calm,” he wrote on X, accompanied by a picture of Doku exchanging words with the fired-up United forward. “Manchester is blue.”
The irony has not been lost on those with red in their hearts, however, that the form book has flipped a little since the dancing Doku deepened United’s frustrations during yet another heavy defeat to their baby-blue neighbours.
In fact, in the 19 Man City games since the start of November, Doku has scored only one goal while providing no assists. Antony, in the same timeframe, has three times as many, swivelling before firing home the most unexpected of right-footed finishes during that stunning FA Cup comeback victory over Liverpool on Sunday.
Yes, some context is required. Two of Antony’s three goal contributions came against fourth-tier Newport County. And, even while his end-product has left a lot to be desired, Doku is almost constant menace to opposition defences. The same cannot be said of a man who joined United in an £82 million deal from Ajax.
Though, with United eyeing potential replacements, could that Liverpool stunner be a turning point, both for Antony’s Old Trafford career and for United’s season? Or another false dawn?
Only time will tell. But that that fizzing finish with his so-called ‘swinger’ was a timely retort to the critics who have often labelled Antony rather one-dimensional, the Brazilian is keen to point out that he is making an effort to improve his right foot.
Meanwhile, Doku’s tendency to jink his way down cul-de-sacs before firing aimless crosses into the ankles of the nearest full-back during a run of just one goal contribution in nearly 20 Man City games mean some rather uncomfortable conversations may soon be facing another winger brought to the North West for big money.
A turning point for £82m man?
“(The one against Liverpool) was a very important goal,” sighs a relieved Antony, who while largely dreadful this season was far better in his debut season than he is often given credit for.
“It gave us the chance to go to extra time and try to win. Personally, it was a very important moment for me. I needed that goal. At no point did I stop thinking about it and working.
“It has been a period of a lot of learning. I try to learn from each criticism and understand where I can improve. I’ve been working silently to evolve and show my football on the field. I have also been training my right foot, to make it better.
“I know my potential and I know why Manchester hired me, I want to repay all of this on the field.”
A vital equaliser in a statement victory over a big rival in to set up an FA Cup trip to Wembley? That’s certainly not a bad start to Antony’s Red Devils revival project.