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Football London
Football London
Sport
Stephen Killen & Laurie Martin

Oleksandr Zinchenko was warned about Antony before Man United debut goal vs Arsenal

Antony opened his Manchester United account by scoring against Arsenal at Old Trafford. The £85 million signing from Ajax gave United the lead with a composed left-footed finish in the 35th minute on his debut.

The winger gave the Red Devils the lead in a controversial first period, where Gabriel Martinelli saw a goal chalked off after Martin Odegaard was adjudged to have fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up.

Antony was up against Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko on his first United appearance. Zinchenko returned to the Gunners' starting XI after missing out on the last two matchday squads through injury. The Ukraine international replaced Kieran Tierney in the team, and Paul Merson predicted that Zinchenko would struggle against the 22-year-old before a ball was even kicked.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker agrees with Alan Shearer on Gabriel Martinelli VAR decision for Arsenal vs Man Utd

"I just think Zinchenko will come find himself in little pockets and won’t play at just left-back, he’ll come inside - he might have to with Antony," Merson said pre-match on Sky Sports' Super Sunday.

"He won’t want to mark Antony, he’s not the greatest defender in the world.

"He’s great on the ball and will want to make things happen. What he will want to do is make Antony worry about him and it’s about if Antony tracks back Zinchenko. I don’t think he’s a natural defender, he loves going forward."

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