It was a display of pointless petulance. Enter the second most expensive footballer in Manchester United’s history. He should have exited a few minutes later, slightly prematurely, for kicking and slapping Jeremy Doku. Referee Paul Tierney spared Antony the ignominy of a Manchester derby red card; Jadon Sancho may argue it is the not the first time the £86m winger has received preferential treatment. His initial station among the substitutes nevertheless told a tale.
Dropped for the derby, Antony has merited a place for too few of the games he has started. But only Paul Pogba has ever cost United more than him. Manchester City’s glory has not come on the cheap, but only Jack Grealish in their history has had a higher price tag than Antony. He has one goal in his last 29 league games; in all competitions, eight goals and a mere three assists in 53 outings for United.
