Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace left former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher seething. He directed his fury at three United players – Antony, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana – who were seen whispering and gesturing on the pitch after the match. Carragher passionately urged them to “shut up and get off the pitch,” calling their behavior embarrassing.
Antony, in particular, had another frustrating night for United. The Brazilian winger was substituted after an hour, with manager Erik ten Hag opting to bring on Sofyan Amrabat. Since joining United from Ajax in August 2022, Antony has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 81 appearances. However, his performances this season have failed to impress, with just one goal in the Premier League so far. His lack of form and recent on-field antics have drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike.
The defeat to Crystal Palace has only intensified the pressure on Erik ten Hag. Speculation about his future at the club has been mounting, with pundits weighing in on whether he should stay or be sacked. Jamie Carragher believes it’s time for a change, saying, “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.” On the other hand, Gary Neville believes that ten Hag should be given a chance to redeem himself if he wins the FA Cup. “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme,” Neville remarked. Louis Saha remains on the fence, acknowledging that changes are needed both from the players and from ten Hag himself. Alan Shearer, however, firmly believes that regardless of the outcome in the FA Cup, ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager has already been determined.
Despite the disappointing result, the loyalty of Manchester United’s fans was evident as they remained inside Selhurst Park to sing and applaud the players at full-time. The players, in turn, showed their appreciation by applauding the fans. It was a heartwarming display of support amidst a difficult period for the club.
While the defeat to Crystal Palace and the subsequent behavior of the players have sparked criticism and debate, it is clear that Manchester United is facing significant challenges. The team’s performance on the pitch, the manager’s future, and the need for changes and improvements are all topics that will continue to be discussed in the coming weeks. As the season progresses, United will have to regroup and find a way to overcome these obstacles if they are to salvage their campaign.