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Premier League | Gameweek 28

May 4, 2023 at 8pm UK

Falmer Stadium

Brighton
1 - 0
Man Utd

Mac Allister (90+9' pen.)
Webster (52'), Dunk (70'), Colwill (77'), Caicedo (86')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Casemiro (44'), Dalot (59'), Antony (69'), Shaw (90+4')

Erik ten Hag: 'Antony's passion is one of his strengths'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 05 May 2023

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag defends Antony after the Brazilian became involved in a heated incident against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has defended Antony after the Brazilian became involved in a heated incident during Thursday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tempers boiled over in the 70th minute of the contest at the Amex, with Antony diving into a challenge with Alexis Mac Allister after becoming frustrated that he had not been awarded a free kick moments before.

The attacker then barged into Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, which led to both players picking up yellow cards in what proved to be a 1-0 win for the Seagulls.

Antony has had a productive first season at Old Trafford following his arrival from Ajax last summer, scoring eight times and registering two assists in 40 appearances in all competitions.

Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin in action with Manchester United's Antony on April 2, 2023 © Reuters

Ten Hag was asked about the South American during his post-match press conference and insisted that his "passion" was one of his main strengths.

"I think his passion is a strength. Of course, there is a certain level. You have to control it. You need passion and desire to win your games, and to win battles in the game," Ten Hag told reporters.

"I think this is very strong with him, he is very ambitious. So, as I say, don't go over the top. Stay focused on your game and what the game needs. If he does that, he is a great player.

"I think his performance, his improvement, it is quite obvious and clear."

Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action with Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka on May 4, 2023 © Reuters

Man United were on course for what would have been a welcome point at Brighton, with the Seagulls dominating the match for long spells and creating the better openings.

However, a Luke Shaw handball inside the penalty box, which was initially missed by the referee, led to Mac Allister winning it for the home side from the penalty spot.

Man United remain fourth in the table, four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand, ahead of Sunday's trip to relegation-threatened West Ham United.

The 20-time English champions will again be missing Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay and Tom Heaton against the Hammers.

However, Alejandro Garnacho is now back in training after recovering from an ankle injury, and the teenager has a chance of returning to the squad for Sunday's contest in the English capital.