Manchester United forward Antony could be axed from Erik ten Hag’s squad amid allegations of domestic violence made by former partner Gabriela Cavallin, The Athletic reports.
Brazilian authorities and Greater Manchester Police are currently investigating the allegations, which cover incidents that allegedly occurred between June 2022 and May of this year.
Antony has repeatedly denied all the allegations, but that meant little to the Brazilian national side, which dropped him from their squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
The situation has led to calls for Man United to suspend Antony, coming just weeks after the club concluded its internal investigation into Mason Greenwood.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the club expressed its commitment to taking the matter ‘seriously’ but have resisted calls for the Brazilian to be axed.
The allegations against Antony first emerged in early June, when Cavallin had filed a police report accusing the player of attacking her on four occasions.
Cavallin claimed that in July 2022, Antony forced her out of a nightclub in Brazil, where she suffered a miscarriage, but it did not stop there.
She also alleged Antony attacked her in a Manchester hotel room in January 2023 and that he threatened to kill her if he saw her with someone else following her return to Brazil in May.
Cavallin formally reported Antony to Greater Manchester Police at the start of September, leading to further inquiries into the case, but he has branded the allegations as ‘false accusations of aggression’.
Man United have refrained from launching any formal internal inquisitions as they did in the case of Mason Greenwood, with the club allowing the judicial process to take its course.
However, they are closely monitoring developments with the police in Sao Paulo and Greater Manchester actively investigating the allegations.
Under the terms of the standard Premier League contract, clubs can suspend players for a maximum of 14 days, but Man United can drop Antony indefinitely while he remains on their payroll.
What does this mean for United?
Man United have been touted for big things this season, but they have not exactly taken the Premier League by storm with their performances.
Ten Hag’s side have picked up six points from a possible 12, and the current squad situation suggests tougher times may lie ahead for the Red Devils.
Man United are light on defensive options, with starting centre-back pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez nursing injuries in the treatment room.
Left-back options Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also sidelined for the foreseeable future, and the ongoing Antony saga couldn’t have come at a worse time with Ten Hag embroiled in a public spat with Jadon Sancho.
The current centre-back options of Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans do little to inspire confidence.
Ten Hag may also have to continue with Diogo Dalot at left back despite the arrival of emergency full-back Sergio Reguilon on deadline day.
If Antony is dropped, Ten Hag may need to settle the beef with Sancho quickly or consider handing Facundo Pellistri a starting role, especially with Amad Diallo also sidelined.
Man United urgently need to reverse their on-field fortunes, but the cloud of turmoil looming over the club could prove challenging to dispel and may affect their performances.
The Red Devils are set to host the high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford after the international break.
The importance of a positive result cannot be over-emphasised with their campaign already in danger.
