Joe Cole claims Manchester United are trying to sell star after Brighton defeat

Joe Cole believes Manchester United are actively trying to sell Antony and says he ‘cost’ his team-mates in the Premier League defeat to Brighton.

Antony’s underwhelming spell at Old Trafford continued on Saturday as he was benched for the trip to Brighton before coming on as an injury-time sub.

Even during his brief spell on the pitch Antony was accused of letting down his team-mates as he made a weak challenge in the build-up to Brighton’s late winner.

Cole criticised Antony for not ‘putting his body on the line’ and said the Brazilian ended up ‘costing’ his team-mates and his club.

The ex-England midfielder also suggested Manchester United were trying to sell Antony before the summer transfer deadline and said Antony ‘probably’ wants to leave.

United spent more than £80m to sign Antony from Ajax in 2022 but the 24-year-old continued to underwhelm.

‘Manchester United brought on Antony who in all due respect, probably isn’t happy to just play 10 or 15 minutes,’ Cole told TNT Sports. ‘He’s an £80m player.

‘He probably wants out the door at United and they probably want him out as well.

‘You’re bringing him on and in that crucial moment when there’s a ball to be won, a body needs to be put on the line for your team and for your club, he didn’t do it and it cost his team.

‘That’s the difference. If you look at the running the Brighton subs went through, it was fantastic.’

Antony was linked with a move away from Old Trafford earlier in the summer but his agent insisted he was determined to turn his United career around.

Danny Welbeck gave Brighton the lead against his former club, scoring his 100th career goal.

Amad Diallo put a difficult week behind him to equalise for Manchester United, who then had a goal disallowed for an incredibly unfortunate offside.

It appeared as though the clash would end 1-1 but Brighton scored a late winner through Joao Pedro to send United back to Old Trafford empty-handed.

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