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Manchester Evening News

Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel criticises Antony decision against Man City

The fallout from the Manchester derby has continued this week and Peter Schmeichel did not like Man United boss Erik ten Hag's substitutions.

Schmeichel questioned the changes.(Image: talkSPORT and GettyImages)

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has questioned Erik ten Hag's substitutions in the Manchester derby, particularly the decision to bring Antony onto the pitch.

Shortly after Manchester City's equalising goal in the second half, Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford were replaced by Willy Kambwala and Antony.


Ten Hag confirmed in his post-match press conference that Evans and Rashford played through knocks to feature in the game, hence their early removal, but the substitutions of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho with eight minutes remaining were tactical decisions.


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Sofyan Amrabat replaced Mainoo and Omari Forson came on for Garnacho, but the changes did not have the desired effect and City made sure of the victory through Erling Haaland in added time.

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Although Ten Hag attempted to clarify the reason behind the substitutions, Schmeichel expressed his frustration at the changes and seemed particularly baffled by Antony's introduction.

He told talkSPORT: You have to have pace up front because what City have at the back are experienced, clever and pacy defenders. Ake was running with Garnacho and catching him.

"I thought as the game progressed that the team fell in a little too deep. For my liking, I would have pushed them up a little bit. And also then, when you need to change the game and they have equalised and scored again, the substitutions that you make.


“You take all your pace out, you take your driving force out of midfield off? You take your best defender off? I don’t get that. Are they being rested for the next game? I really don’t get the substitutions.

“When you look what Pep’s doing, he is only taking off two players. Generally, he doesn’t substitute a lot. Those substitutions I just didn't get.

"Yes, Rashford scores a really good goal and he is a threat. He only needs one pass and he's through, so why take him off for someone [Antony] who hasn't scored or assisted since April? Why put somebody on like that instead of Rashford, and why take Garnacho off? I don't get it."

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Antony is yet to record a goal contribution in the Premier League this season and his only goal and assist came against Newport County in the FA Cup.

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