Why Manchester United need to drop £80 million flop vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester United are facing a confidence crisis early on in the season once again. After last year’s humiliating start against Brighton and Brentford, Erik ten Hag is having to rethink things once again.

Although this time United do have three points on the board and created plenty more chances, especially in the first half against Tottenham Hotspur they once again capitulated against a side away from home who are in the top 10.

It is an unhealthy record to have for ten Hag and one he needs to iron out quickly. With issues in the heart of midfield and players needing to gel there, it is not the only area for concern.

One is definitely the wing play and in particular the right-hand side.

Antony failing to live up to expectations at Manchester United

ten Hag has changed his forward line this season after struggling in front of goal last season. With only Marcus Rashford standing out for United last year, he has been played through the middle for the past two games and looks a shadow of himself. However, with no recognised striker fit he is currently doing what he has to do.

In his place, Alejandro Garnacho is trying to prove he is able to start games and influence them as well as he did last season from the bench but it has not been the case for the 19-year-old. However, Garnacho has time on his side to improve his game.

Not much can be said for the right-hand side with Antony struggling to win over fans. A lot of pressure was put on him when ten Hag made him his number-one target last year and pushed for the transfer.

The Brazilian international is not electric in pace, nor does he want to beat a man on the outside and is far too predictable and inaccurate with his favoured move of cutting in on his left and trying to find the far corner.

There is no doubt that Antony brings a lot to the team with his determination and defensive tracking back but with United needed goals from somewhere he is not helping the side in the slightest. If anything he is becoming detrimental to United’s attacks which is not what you want from one of your own players.

Who could replace him?

Some could call it reactionary so early into the season but Antony is in the firing line for the player to be dropped for a cumulation of underwhelming performances since arriving at Old Trafford. Manchester United may also want to be cautious with Antony who could be about to face legal charges very soon.

Despite United having Jadon Sancho available he, like Rashford and Garnacho, seems to play better out on the left-hand side. One name keeps getting mentioned and he has impressed when he has been given the chance.

Uruguayan international Facundo Pellistri is lurking in the shadows and looks eager to replace Antony at any moment. He featured for a total of five minutes against Tottenham on the weekend and showed more attacking threat than Antony did all game.

His ability to run defenders and beat them on the outside, get to the byline and cut back a ball causes a lot more danger in the opposition box than Antony curling one into the Stretford End each week!

Will Pellistri even be there by the weekend?

Although there is a clamouring for Pellistri to start against Nottingham Forest and rightly so, he may not even be a Manchester United player by the weekend. Sheffield United are looking to make an audacious swoop for the former Penarol man and United could be willing to let him leave.

It would be an interesting move given the poor performances from Antony and one that could be detrimental to the success of Erik ten Hag in his second season.