Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag talks about Antony’s return: ‘I don’t think it’s a distraction’

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Following the reinsertion of Brazilian winger Antony into the Red Devils’ team, the club’s coach, Erik Ten Hag, dropped a statement concerning the development. He hinted that the players have been working too much.

Antony was given a leave of absence after his former partner accused him of domestic violence, but has been restored to the first team following his recent meeting with the Greater Manchester Police. The allegations against him are being investigated in two countries: Brazil and the United Kingdom. The reason is that the said partner reported him in those countries.

Erik Ten Hag claimed that Antony’s return would not be a distraction to the club. Manchester United tried last time to reinsert Mason Greenwood into the club’s first team after accusations brought against him by a woman were dropped. But when they saw the scowls of disapproval that dotted the landscape of the internet, they decided to sell him instead.

There might be protests, especially from the LGBTQ community and some feminists, because of this development. Up to three women are accusing Antony of alleged violence they suffered at his hands. The most visible of these three is Gabriela Cavallin, his former girlfriend, who is the main reason the player is under fire.

Coach Erik ten Hag spoke to the press today, claiming that adding Antony back would not bring any distraction, seeming to give a blind eye to the possibility of a backlash.

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‘I refer to the statement [released by Manchester United while announcing their decision to bring Antony back],’ said coach Ten Hag. ‘Everything has been made clear in the statement, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We will focus on the games. He will do as well.’

One can say the coach sounded too sure of how Antony feels and what would be his focus.

The player is set to be seen by fans who might have a different opinion than that of Manchester United. But Erik Ten Hag might have other reasons for seeming so ignorant.

‘Every time the schedule is expanding, the load on the players is too much,’ Ten Hag went on to say. ‘It’s such a great overload. Many colleagues of mine have pointed to that and I have pointed to that as well. But it keeps going. We keep expanding the schedule. Anywhere, it won’t stop. Players can’t deal anymore with this overload and I think that’s what you say in this squad at the moment.’

Antony’s first match will be against gallant Galatasaray on the Champions League scene.