Both wingers were named in Erik ten Hag’s squad for Thursday night’s trip to Cyprus, where the visitors were expected to come back from their 6-3 derby humiliation by Manchester City over the weekend with a comfortable win over minnows Omonia – a team that finished seventh in the Cypriot top flight under Neil Lennon last season, who had won just one of their 27 previous European ties.
United, however, again clearly underperformed in Nicosia, trailing 1-0 at half time to a Karim Ansarifard goal against the pace of play, despite dominating the first half and creating plenty of attacking opportunities.
Sancho – along with Tyrell Malacia – was duly hooked by Ten Hag at GSP Stadium at halftime and replaced by Marcus Rashford, whose brace – coupled with another fine goal from fellow impact changer Anthony Martial – was just enough to make a massive upset and take a hard-fought 3-2 win to remain second behind Real Sociedad in Group E, despite Nikolas Panayiotou’s late effort to secure a stand.
Paul Scholes worries Manchester United signing Antony is a bit of a one-trick pony
/ APUnited legend Paul Scholes was on duty at BT Sport on Thursday and after another unconvincing performance from United expressed concern that Sancho was not trailing behind opposition defences, while in the summer he even labeled £86million as Antony a potential ‘ one trick pony’.
“He was right that the wingers were static,” Scholes said of Ten Hag’s assessment after the game. “Sancho never really falls behind. He really needs a fast left back or a center striker to join in and he doesn’t really have one at the moment.
“Antony on the other hand too, he is not lagging behind. He seems to be a bit of a one trick pony.
“He always cuts in and either goes back to fullback or has a chance. You think he still needs to develop a bit. It’s early for him, we know that.”