Antony blasted by fans for his 'criminal' decision to shoot when THREE of his Man United teammates were unmarked

Manchester United winger Antony has been ruthlessly slammed after he made a “criminal” mistake in his side’s 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday.

Following on from Liverpool’s 7-0 drubbing of United at Anfield, Erik ten Hag’s men bounced back in stunning style for their first-leg Europa League last-16 tie.

In-form England star Marcus Rashford fired United into a lead in the sixth minute at Old Trafford with a wonderful strike.

Leicester City loanee Ayoze Perez pulled one back for Betis before half-time, but then Antony restored United’s advantage only seven minutes after the break.

Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst, who received a spine-tingling reception from the Old Trafford faithful after he scored, grabbed United’s third and fourth respectively against Betis.

Ten Hag’s men have inched closer to a place in the Europa League quarter-finals, with the return leg of the last-16 tie to be played on 16th March in Spain.

Antony has been met with heavy criticism this season after United splashed out a hefty £86m fee to land him from Ajax last summer.

The 23-year-old Brazilian winger was blasted for his error in judgement in the second half when United were 3-1 up against Betis.

Antony was played through and only had former Manchester City shot-stopper Claudio Bravo, but the ex-Ajax star also had three of his United teammates to support him.

📸 - Huge chance for Manchester United to make it 4-1 but Antony decides not to pass it! pic.twitter.com/AT1ax8iRXh

— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) March 9, 2023

The United star decided to shoot and missed the target when there was a clear-cut pass open to unmarked trio Rashford, Weghorst and Fred.

“This is criminal from Antony, yeah we led 3-1 but naaah,” one fan said.

Someone else tweeted: “I think I’d be angry about this for the whole of tomorrow. WTF.”

“His decision-making is his greatest enemy… Has the ability,” a third added.

Another wrote: “Why didn’t he square it?”

While one Twitter user posted: “Broo, I’m so mad he didn’t pass.”

READ MORE:

• 'Not accidental!' - Paul Scholes hits out at controversial handball law in Man United's 4-1 win over Real Betis
• David de Gea told he is 'done playing at the top level' after poor showing against Real Betis
• Paul Merson breaks down HUGE ‘tactical’ mistake Erik ten Hag made in Man United’s 7-0 defeat to Liverpool