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• Antony return to Manchester United will not be a distraction – Erik ten Hag

  Erik ten Hag does not believe Antony’s return will be a distraction after Manchester United announced he will resume training and is available for selection amid police inquiries into allegations of abuse against him.

  The 23-year-old was given a leave of absence on September 10 and returned to England from Brazil earlier this week, before attending a voluntary interview with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday.

  Antony has always denied the allegations against him and United confirmed on Friday morning the winger will rejoin training and can resume playing Ten Hag’s side.

  The Premier League club said in a statement: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.

  “As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed.

  “This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.

  “As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”

  United released the statement just over two hours before Ten Hag faced the media to preview Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace.

  Antony will not be involved in that Premier League encounter but will return to training with the group on the day of the game.

  “We make the statement, so I refer to the statement,” Ten Hag said. “I think everything has been made clear in the statement.

  “No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We focus on the games and he will do as well.”

  Asked for details on his return, the Dutchman said: “On Saturday, he will be back in the training, so tomorrow.

  “I have to see (how fit he is), but I think, yeah (he’s fit).”

  Antony is facing several accusations of physical aggression towards his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who spoke to Brazilian outlet UOL earlier this month.

  The winger has denied those allegations, as well as further assault claims made by Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana.

  Antony has not been arrested or charged in either Brazil or by GMP and he left the voluntary interview, where he presented evidence to support his strenuous denials, without any restrictions.

  United will continue to monitor the situation while police enquiries are going on.

  A spokesperson for the charity Women’s Aid said: “We know that this morning’s news from Manchester United about their player, Antony, returning to training and selection while police inquiries continue will have an impact on survivors of domestic abuse.

  “We urge the national football organisations to work with specialist services, like Women’s Aid, to provide much-needed guidance for clubs on domestic abuse and the handling of domestic abuse cases.

  “An informed and consistent approach is vital in order to create a society where domestic abuse is not tolerated and we will be writing to the national organisations to raise this.”

• Kemar Roofe ruled out of Rangers’ clash with Aberdeen due to groin injury

  Rangers striker Kemar Roofe is set for another spell on the sidelines with a groin injury which requires a scan.

  The 30-year-old came off at half-time in the 4-0 Viaplay Cup win over Livingston at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

  Roofe has been bedevilled by injuries since signing for the Light Blues from Anderlecht in 2020 and ahead of the visit of Aberdeen in the cinch Premiership on Saturday, Gers boss Michael Beale confirmed the former Leeds forward would miss that game at least.

  Beale said: “He is away for a scan so no news on that one at the minute. He didn’t train today with the rest of the team.

  “Until we get the news back from the scan, we don’t really know what we are dealing with. It is not an area which has ever been an issue before.

  “Obviously it is disappointing for Kemar because he came back into the team and did so well until the other night.

  “He said he felt it halfway through the first half and I would like him to hold his hand up. Then he felt he could continue on and at half-time I asked if there was an issue and he said ‘yes’ so then we take no risks with him.

  “Let’s hope it is nothing too serious and he will be available in the short term rather than the long term.

  “At this moment in time tomorrow is too soon. It is frustrating because he is such a big player and such a very good player.

  “It is hard because he has not been available as much as he likes for three managers, not just myself.

  “It looked like he was in a really good place, he was contributing well. He just felt a niggle and came out and the right thing is to get the scan and he is for that this afternoon.”

• Chaos at Scunthorpe – Owner ends funding with club forced to leave Glanford Park

  The future of Scunthorpe has taken another bleak turn after owner David Hilton decided to withdraw his funding, with the club forced to play away from their Glanford Park home.

  Now plying their trade in the National League North, Scunthorpe were in the Championship just 13 years ago but now face the continued, very real threat of extinction.

  To only complicate matters further, following an announcement they would leave Glanford Park to play their home games at Gainsborough Trinity, their near-neighbours from the Northern League insisted that statement was issued without their “knowledge or consent”.

  The Iron confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Hilton had opted to pull his money out of the beleaguered club.

  “The club owner and chairman has recently notified the board of directors of his decision to withdraw his funding from the club moving forward,” a statement read.

  “He has also notified them that he feels his position at the club is untenable, and is actively seeking a way out. Based on this information, both Ian Dawson and Tahina Akther have decided to resign from their positions with immediate affect.

  “We can confirm that numerous parties have made contact with the club with a view to taking over, but faced with stadium issues, numerous litigation proceedings and winding up petitions no potential purchasers are looking to move forward. This includes the consortium of local business people and supporters.

  “The chairman and remaining board members have now set out a plan in order to very quickly make the club sustainable.”

  The statement went on to confirm they would host their upcoming home games against Buxton and Brackley Town at Glanford Park before relocating due to a dispute with land owners Coolsilk, run by former Scunthorpe owner Peter Swann.

  “The club will vacate Glanford Park after the Brackley Town fixture and fulfill the season’s fixtures across at Gainsborough Trinity,” the statement continued.

  “This is not a day-to-day cost cutting exercise. This is due to Coolsilk refusing to engage with the club and demanding vacant possession before they will begin to do so.

  “This is also due to the risk the club faces of being liable for hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal fees and back dated market rent, along with significant monthly legal costs of our own that will certainly impact any attempts to create sustainability.

  “In any case, Coolsilk own the property and will undoubtedly get possession back at some point, and therefore it is no longer viable without the financial support of the chairman to put the club at risk with such a gamble to merely guarantee a few extra months at the stadium.”

  Despite announcing they would play their games 16 miles away at the Gainsborough Martin & Co Arena – Trinity insist they have not signed off on any such agreement.

  “Gainsborough Trinity FC are aware of a statement issued today by Scunthorpe United,” they said in their own statement.

  “This statement was issued without the knowledge or consent of Gainsborough Trinity.

  “Whilst the club has always been clear that any requests from Scunthorpe United to play fixtures at the KAL Group Stadium would be considered, this would always have to be done by due process which would involve both clubs and the ground owner.”

  Scunthorpe currently sit fourth in the National League North and have lost just one of their opening nine league games of the campaign.