Erik ten Hag has called on Antony to get even better and more dangerous after Manchester United beat Real Betis 4-1.
United needed a response after the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool but went in at half-time level at 1-1, with some of the life having gone out of the performance after Marcus Rashford’s opening goal.
Antony wasted no time in opening the game up, curling a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net in a way which has become his trademark now.
But there was also a moment at 3-1 when the Brazilian was too greedy and snubbed a chance to square the ball for an open goal before chipping over the bar.
Erik ten Hag calls on Antony to use his speed to become more dangerous
At his press conference after the game, Ten Hag was asked whether the different pace of the Europa League suits Antony, given he has two in our last two European games.
He replied: “I don’t think he can only do it in the Europa League because he scored in his first three games in the Premier League.
“In the first half, he could do better. To make more actions, be more brave, go in behind more, and taking players on but especially more movement using his speed and I think the second half performance was much better.
“He scored a great goal and an important goal.”
There is more to come from Antony, who needs to add more variety and assists to his game as well as consistency, but he has shown what he can do for United.
Ten Hag clearly trusts him and the Brazilian offers the most balance to United of any of their right wing options, as well as a goal threat.
The Dutchman clearly wants to see more of what Antony can do consistently, and a better decision when he had two options inside him would have handed him an assist.
When United needed to step it up in the second half, it was Antony who set the tone with his goal and pressing, as we now have one foot in the last eight.