It is a measure of Erik ten Hag’s mounting problems at Manchester United that, in any other circumstances, he would probably call on Jadon Sancho to be Antony’s replacement on the right wing.
Instead, Ten Hag will sit down with Sancho on Monday to see if there is any way to salvage their broken relationship as Antony begins a period of paid leave away from the club.
United announced the move on Sunday in a statement saying that Antony agrees with the decision and is being given time off to fight the allegations of domestic abuse levelled against him.