Antony’s controversial circus trick was the act of a true Manchester United winger

 Antony’s controversial circus trick was the act of a true Manchester United winger

Antony was hooked just seven minutes after his double ‘spin skill’ - but there was a recent time when acts of swagger by the Old Trafford touchline were revered

'That's why Ronaldo is so good' Ten Hag after goal helps Utd to win

It was out near the same Old Trafford touchline, some fourteen years ago now, that another Manchester United winger decided to dabble in a spot of showboating. Four unanswered goals up against Arsenal with about a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Nani infamously embarked on a 'seal dribble', juggling the ball with his forehead as poor Justin Hoyte desperately tried and failed to keep up with him, and eventually crumpled to the floor, getting back up only to be beaten again.

Helped by the fact it was the pick of that year’s FA Cup fifth round ties and broadcasted to millions on terrestrial television, it was a largely inconsequential moment that has become an abiding memory, as has the fact that Nani was rebuked for his flamboyance by Sir Alex Ferguson in the dressing room afterwards. Nani was told “he didn’t need to do that”. “Obviously, I agreed,” he later said. “I always follow the orders of my coach and am not interested in causing controversy.”

Except Ferguson was not always entirely consistent on the issue of his players taking the piss, and not even consistent on this specific instance involving Nani. A few months later during United's most successful season since 1999, before the second leg of a Champions League quarter-final against Roma, the United manager was asked about accusations that Cristiano Ronaldo humiliated their opponents with unnecessary trickery at the Stadio Olimpico. “I don't care,” came the response.

“We encourage it. We encourage it in all the players,” Ferguson said. “In this modern era, it is a refreshing change to see players who are not going to be intimidated by opponents and are just going to keep on doing what they are doing.” When the contradiction with his comments on Nani after the Arsenal game was pointed out, he revealed that “after what Arséne said” he had watched the tape of the FA Cup tie back. “I didn’t see that Nani was showboating.”