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Manchester United played one of their best game this season as they came back from a goal behind against Liverpool on Sunday to beat them 4-3 in the FA Cup 2023-24 quarter-final. As the match moved to the extra time, Man United coach Erik Ten Hag made a strategic change and put Brazilian winger Antony in the left-back position, which seemingly annoyed the 25-year-old right winger.
While Scott McTominay put the Red Devils on the front in the 10th minute at Old Trafford, Liverpool scored two goals in three minutes to take a 2-1 lead with Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah finding the back of the net. Antony scored an equaliser in the 87th minute to force extra time, where Man United conceded in the 105th minute.
In the second half of the extra time, United forwards Marcus Rashford and 21-year-old Amad Diallo scored a goal each to help their side beat the Reds and qualify for the FA Cup last four.
After losing his place in the United's starting lineup, Brazilian forward Antony was introduced with 20 minutes remaining into the game and scored a late goal that forced the game into extra time. However, the Brazilian was left shell-shocked and expressed his disagreement with the call as his teammate Marcus Rashford calmed down the Brazilian.
Watch the video here:
Sacrifice: Antony responds to Erik ten Hag's call to play left-back
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Antony responded to the claims that he was annoyed with Ten Hag's decision regarding him to lay as a left back. He said, " Sacrifice, sacrifice. When the coach said that, we found it a bit strange but sacrificing for the group, sacrificing for the team, that's fine with me."
On the other hand, ETH praised the Brazilian winger and told BeIN SPORTS, " It's very important for him. He struggled so much. First part, he was not himself, he's responsible for that...
"He has to fight back, and I'm sure he will do, because you've seen that goal. But not only in the goal. When he's going to left full-back position, he's defending very well. In certain systems, he can play from that side. He's not a defending player, don't get me wrong, because we have seen, he can score goals."
