
Manchester United managed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sherif Tiraspol, although the match did not go entirely without controversy.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring upon his return to the squad grabbed the headlines, but an incident in the first half led to winger Antonios being criticized for what he was supposed to be showing off visitors. Performing his trademark ‘spin’ trick.
With the match going without goals, the Brazilian collected the ball in acres of space, stretched 360 degrees twice and then proceeded to put in a faulty pass that went straight out for a goal kick.
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New hair, same tricks.
Anthony withdraws his signature at Old Trafford. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZdvjHP3iQV
– CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (CBSSportsGolazo) October 27 2022
As expected, the double spin caused a bit of an uproar as fans on social media and pundits in studios argued whether a player expressing themselves on the field before unnecessarily abandoning possession was a good or bad thing.
Anthony’s turn might be the most vain skill I’ve ever seen.
– owurakuampofo October 27 2022
Anthony’s 360-degree spin trick is awesome. No sense breathtaking. It probably isn’t too difficult to do in the first place. However, he clearly loves doing it and seems to have no intention of stopping. noticeable.
Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) October 27 2022
Roy Keane sees Anthony’s role in coaching pic.twitter.com/KAGDkM70rH
– No ken context (NoContextKeaneo) October 28, 2022
“Grow up a little…” 😳
Ian Holloway says Anthony’s skill was “unnecessary nonsense” 🔊🔛 pic.twitter.com/eVRfppv28d
Sky Sports Premier League (SkySportsPL) October 28, 2022
🤷♂️ Jimmy: “People have been digging around for Anthony and saying it’s embarrassing – I don’t mind it!”
😳 Jason: “At Sharif’s home in the Europa League. It costs you £80m!”Tweet embed & Trustworthy disagree on #MUFCAnthony reviews in front of Sharif! 🤔 pic.twitter.com/KSjnnsU3qB
– talkSPORT (talkSPORT) October 27 2022
It has been pointed out that Anthony’s turn is nowhere near the most useless ‘skill’ by a United winger, thanks in large part to the efforts of one Andrei Kanchelskis.
Anthony’s turn is not even the most useless skill by someone who has played on the right wing of Manchester Unitedpic.twitter.com/CDPfAVbjjr
Adam Hurry (FootballCliches) October 27 2022
Distributing his players’ ratings in the game, ESPN’s Rob Dawson gave Anthony a disappointing score of 4/10 after failing to make a significant impact against Sharif beyond his rapid spread.
Anthony has done the course on a regular basis, and was made to prove it when he arrived at United during the summer with the club Post a like on their official social media channels.
3️⃣6️⃣0️⃣ on repetition 🌀@Anthony 00™#MUFC pic.twitter.com/gFWFTJHVd0
– Manchester United (ManUtd) September 1, 2022
Several prominent critics expressed strong opinions after witnessing the charade against Sharif, and former United midfielder Paul Scholes was soon quick to come by. To discredit Anthony for his amazing moves By describing the stunt as “ridiculous.” Former United graduate Robbie Savage also criticized the 720-degree circular display as “embarrassing” while commenting on the game.
However, it was also pointed out that Scholes’ assessment could be somewhat ambiguous due to bad memories of South African midfielder Skara Ngobezi. Doing the same trick right in front of him During a pre-season friendly match for United against the Kaizer Chiefs in 2008.
That’s why Scholes hates that role of Anthony because he was a victim of it when United played in South Africa 😂 https://t.co/chnGclI4c9
– andil.99 (AndileMhlabane) October 28, 2022
Anthony was substituted in the first half against Sheriff although United boss Eric Ten Hag later insisted the substitution was pre-planned and was more so due to the Brazilian’s general lack of impact on the night at Old Trafford.
“I don’t have a problem with that [the spin] “As long as it’s practical,” the Dutchman said after the match. And I also ask him for more – more running back, more often in the penalty area, more followers and more dribbling at a greater pace, in particular, and more pocket play.
Ten Hag explained that Anthony was substituted for lack of sharpness although he also vowed to “correct” the fiery 22-year-old as to the right time and place to delve into his bluff bag.
“We demand more dominance in this game and when there is a trick like that, it’s great. As long as it works effectively, if you don’t lose the ball and attract players, that’s fine. But if it’s trick by trick I’ll correct it.”
Of course, the reaction to Anthony’s move sparked the age-old debate about where the line between authentic flair and needless showmanship when it comes to offensive football stands. Lots of creative players – many of them Brazilians – have done their own trick over the years.
Neymar and Florentino again 👀Tweet embed || #UCL pic.twitter.com/6PH4POkLHx
UEFA Champions League October 19, 2022
In fact, we need look no further than Neymar who adopted “sombrero“ (Cunning flick over the ball and over the opponent’s head) At a young age he quickly made it his own.
Neymar rainbow flick 🌈Tweet embed | #UCL pic.twitter.com/MBLzxbaRQE
UEFA Champions League December 31, 2021
The Paris Saint-Germain star is also part of a “Rainbow Flick,” Trapping the ball between his heels and using them to arc the ball over his pen.
Flip flap, elástico, acre or snakebite❓
🇧🇷 Ronaldinho’s brand move 😎@10Ronaldinho | #UCL pic.twitter.com/dRjYEwTMq5
UEFA Champions League January 11 2022
It is used by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho among others, and “flexibility‘ or ‘flip-flap’ He was a staple of the Brazilian side for many years.
Fantastic skill 💫
A BOSS doesn’t seem to help ❌👀
Ending the chapter ⚽️Bobby and Tweet embed Combine to great effect 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vSTdW26OJr
– Liverpool FC (LFC) December 5, 2019
Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has carved out a cute little stature for himself as a major advocate of rudeness “Do not pass a look.”
✨ Las mejores CROQUETAS sobre el terreno de juego las hacía Tweet embed.
🤤 Spoiler: este vídeo es una DELICIA. #DiaInternacionaldelaCroqueta pic.twitter.com/ZsV2w1aKyl
– LaLiga (LaLiga) January 16, 2021
Known for his skill at handling the ball, he mastered Andres Iniesta “croquette“ A quick transfer of the ball between his feet allowed the former Barcelona midfielder to penetrate through the gaps between defenders.
The dribbling of the Kirlon Seals was impressive, but it rarely ends well pic.twitter.com/NwR3ryT4rj
– James Dart (@James_Dart) May 20, 2020
Probably the most famous signature trick is “Dodge the Seal” Performed by Brazilian striker Kerlon. The ball was moved up and played to the front, usually until an overly angry defender stopped the action.