Antony was present at Old Trafford on Saturday but did not participate in Manchester United’s match against Crystal Palace. The 23-year-old Brazilian forward has been sidelined since United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month due to allegations of domestic abuse, which he denies.

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Following a leave of absence granted on September 10, United confirmed on Friday that Antony was available for selection. However, he did not have sufficient time to prepare for the Premier League match, choosing instead to attend the game as a spectator.

Manchester United provided an update on Antony’s situation, noting that he has cooperated with police in both Brazil and the UK since the allegations emerged in June. The club has condemned the abuse, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding all individuals involved.

Manager Erik ten Hag mentioned on Friday that Antony would return to training the next day and suggested a possible immediate comeback. He stated, “On Saturday, he will be back in training… I think, yeah (he’s fit).”

Antony could make his return in United’s upcoming Champions League match against Galatasaray at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Ten Hag has opted not to discuss the details of Antony’s off-field situation, focusing instead on the player’s contributions to the team.

Due to the ongoing allegations, Antony was dropped from Brazil’s squad for September’s international fixtures. He recently visited a police station in Manchester for a lengthy interview lasting over five hours but has not been charged in either Brazil or the UK.

United held discussions with Antony earlier in the week regarding his return to the squad. The club’s football director, John Murtough, and chief communications officer, Ellie Norman, communicated with the women’s team about Antony’s reintegration.

In their statement, Manchester United reaffirmed their stance: “As a club, we condemn acts of violence and abuse… We recognize the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”