Anthony's situation at United is becoming increasingly difficult, and according to an analysis by the Manchester Evening News, the Brazilian winger appears to have lost the trust of manager Jurgen Ten Hagar. In the last seven matches, Anthony has been given just one minute of playing time and this marginalization, if it continues, could well herald his departure from United next summer.
Ten Hagar's support for Anthony seems to have reached its limit. Although Ten Hagar had gone out of his way to protect and support Anthony in the early days of his joining the club, Anthony's performances have not lived up to expectations as time has gone by. United invested a whopping 85 million pounds in Anthony, but this huge investment did not bring a corresponding return. Anthony's first season at United was okay, but then he gradually lost his form, and last season's performance even plummeted.
The relationship between Ten Hagar and Anthony also appears to be growing colder. Although Manchester United officially denies that there is any conflict between the two, there are signs that Ten Hagar's patience with Anthony is running out. In recent matches, Anthony has been left out of the starting lineup almost completely, and even when he makes the roster, he often sits on the bench.
Anthony's woes stem not only from his own poor performance, but also from outside factors. The domestic violence allegations surrounding him in January have undoubtedly had a negative impact on his mental state and game performance. Although Ten Hagar has expressed his understanding and support for Anthony, the incident has certainly exacerbated his struggles at United.
In addition, the rise of other players in the United team has further compressed Anthony's existence. The outstanding performances of young players such as Ahmad have given Ten Hagar more options, while Anthony has looked increasingly marginalized.
Although things can still change, Anthony's future at United doesn't look promising as things stand. If his form doesn't pick up in time and earn Ten Hagar's trust, his Old Trafford career will likely come to an end next summer. It's a sad ending for the Brazilian wing, who had high hopes.
