KEY POINTS

  • Man Utd signed Antony from Ajax in the summer
  • Antony has netted five goals for Man Utd this season
  • They were without Antony during their 3-0 win over Bournemouth

Manchester United winger Antony has returned to training ahead of his side's FA Cup clash against Everton.

Antony, who moved from Ajax to Manchester United at $104 million in the summer, didn't even make it to the bench against Bournemouth after starting the last two league games.

Manchester United defeated Bournemouth 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Head coach Erik ten Hag later revealed the reason behind Antony's omission from the squad. While replying to a question regarding Antony's absence, the Dutch boss said, "He's injured."

While Ten Hag did not open up on the nature of the Brazilian forward's injury or his return date, a report on Manchester United's official website revealed that Antony had begun training at the club's base in Carrington.

Antony missed as many as five games between October and November due to an unknown injury.

He made a fine start at Manchester United, netting a goal each in his first three appearances. But the 22-year-old winger has not scored or assisted since October. Overall, he has netted five goals and two assists for Manchester United in 17 matches this season.

Antony's injury handed a rare start to midfielder Donny van de Beek, who started in the middle of the front line, with Marcus Rashford on the right flank and Bruno Fernandes on the left. Unfortunately, Van de Beek, who was starting only for the second time in the ongoing Premier League season, was forced to leave the field in tears after suffering a nasty-looking injury.

While Van de Beek received an opportunity to show Ten Hag what he can do in the Manchester United XI, the Netherlands player's chance was cut short following a poor tackle from Bournemouth center-back Marcos Senesi. Van de Beek tried to carry on, but he was in severe pain and had to be replaced before the half-time break at Old Trafford.

Even though he could walk off the field without any help, Ten Hag later admitted that the former Ajax midfielder's injury did not look good.

"It's difficult to say, we have to wait 24 hours before we can give a good diagnosis. It is [a concern]. I can't say at this moment [what the injury is]. You have to wait 24 hours, but it doesn't look good," said Ten Hag.

Manchester United's Antony celebrates after scoring against Arsenal

Manchester United's third-round FA Cup game against Everton is scheduled to take place on Friday at Old Trafford. They will takje on Charlton in the League Cup quarter-final on Jan. 10. Following this, the Red Devils have two back-to-back big games as they will lock horns against Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League.

With 35 points from 17 matches, Manchester United are placed fourth in the League table.

Soccer