Erik ten Hag has hinted that Antony could make his return to first-team action on Tuesday when Manchester United host Galatasaray in the Champions League. The Brazilian forward is yet to make an appearance for the Red Devils since the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on September 3, after being put on fully-paid leave following allegations he attacked three women.
He met with the Greater Manchester Police on Thursday voluntarily, before heading home under no restrictions, having been neither detained nor arrested. Antony was pictured in first-team training for the first time since his absence at the weekend at Carrington, as h seemingly prepares for an impending return.
‘I can confirm, yeah. Licha Martinez will undergo surgery and the team news is Antony can probably return,’ he added. The Dutchman also confirmed that Antony had co-operated with the police ‘fully’ and was released under no restrictions, stating: ‘Antony co-operated fully and it came out, he’s not charged, so.’
When asked about the ex-Ajax winger on Monday, Ten Hag revealed: ‘Antony will be in consideration but yesterday was his first time back in team training. We have a final training, then we’ll make a decision.’
The club had already confirmed that he would be reintegrated into the first-team, and that the women’s side had also been informed of his returning to training. United said in a statement that Antony’s situation ‘will be kept under review pending further developments in the case’. The statement read: ‘Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has cooperated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.
‘As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.’
‘As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.
‘Gabriela Cavallin’s attorneys inform that the crimes committed by the player are still being investigated by the Manchester Police and also the Brazilian Police, which is why we believe that he will soon be sent to Court, where he will have to face a trial,’ a press release read. ‘It seems obvious to us that fallacies would be created with the intention that the team bring him back to training.’
However, Antony’s former partner Gabriela Cavallin broke her silence having levelled allegations of abuse at the player, with a press release issued after his return to Carrington.
