Antony wins Manchester United’s goal of the season award for his half-volley against Barcelona in hit-and-miss debut campaign after £82m summer move
Antony struggled for form but netted eight times in his first year at Man UnitedHis volleyed effort against Barcelona helped United win the Europa League tie Marcus Rashford scooped two awards at Monday evening’s ceremony
Antony has won Manchester United’s goal of the season award for his strike against Barcelona in the Europa League.
The awards were handed out on Monday night in a ceremony to celebrate a season that saw United qualify for the Champions League again with a third-place finish in the Premier League.
They also lifted the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign, and could secure a domestic cup double if they can beat rivals Manchester City to lift the FA Cup this weekend.
While they were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, United beat LaLiga champions and European giants Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the last 16 stage.
Anthony’s strike in the 73rd minute ensured Erik ten Hag’s side progressed in the tie, and United supporters voted it as their goal of the season.
Watch UEFA Europa League live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
Antony has won Manchester United’s goal of the season award for his strike against Barcelona
The Brazilian netted late on in the Europa League tie to send United through to the next round
United revealed a top ten shortlist of contenders for the vote, with the top four securing over 70 per cent of picks.
United said a ‘phenomenal number’ of fans voted, with Marcus Rashford’s length-of-the-pitch goal against Burnley in the Carabao Cup coming fourth.
Alejandro Garnacho’s strike against Fulham came third, with Jadon’s Sancho’s goal against Liverpool at Old Trafford finishing second.
Antony’s strike, meanwhile, was a fine left-footed, curling effort from the edge of the box at Old Trafford in February.
The goal arrived after some good defending from Barcelona, with Bruno Fernandes and Fred originally seeing efforts blocked by the visiting defenders.
Brazillian Antony then hit the ball after one bounce past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to send Old Trafford into raptures, meaning United led 4-3 in the tie and they saw out the victory.
He is a doubt for the FA Cup final, however, after being stretchered off in the win against Chelsea last week.
Marcus Rashford was named as Man United’s player of the year at their end of season awards
The United players were dressed up very smart as they arrived for the end of season awards
Erik ten Hag helped the club return to the Champions League in his first year in charge
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, won the fans’ player of the year award and the players’ player of the year award at the ceremony.
The forward has scored 30 goals in a season that has seen him find his feet once again after a difficult couple of years with his best goal scoring return to date.
Upon winning the awards, Rashford said: ‘Definitely a proud feeling, it’s been a long time since an academy player has won this award so I feel a huge sense of pride.
‘I just hope that more academy players can go on and win this award and feel what I’m feeling right now on the stage. I’m very happy, very pleased, and I just want to say a big thanks to team-mates, staff, because without them pushing you every day in training you don’t get to see the best version of me. ‘
