Manchester United fans wasted no time reacting to Antony’s performance in the third-round Carabao Cup match against Barnsley at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.
Antony struggled with form and consistency at Old Trafford last season, with the Manchester United winger only netting three times in 38 appearances.
The 24-year-old Brazilian attacker has faced mounting criticism since United signed him for an initial fee of £82m from Dutch side Ajax in 2022.
Antony worked under Erik ten Hag at Ajax and the Brazil international has received the backing of the United boss amid his poor run of form at Old Trafford.
However, the former Ajax star has faced increasing competition for a place in the United starting XI against the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.
Antony has only managed one Premier League appearance in the current campaign after he made a very brief cameo against Brighton in the 2-1 defeat at the Amex.
Man Utd star Antony vs Barnsley
Manchester United blew League One side Barnsley out of the water in the start of their Carabao Cup campaign for the 2024-25 season.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United before the England international selflessly allowed Antony to step up for a penalty in the first half.
Antony superbly converted from the spot-kick to open his goalscoring account for the campaign, with Alejandro Garnacho scoring United’s third before half-time.
Garnacho completed his brace only four minutes into the second half before fellow United teammate Rashford added his second at Old Trafford.
Antony produced a steady performance against Barnsley and was lively at times in attacks, with the former Ajax star growing in confidence after his penalty.
Man Utd fans react to Antony performance
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, welcomed Antony securing regular first-team minutes and netting against Barnsley.
Red Devils supporters were quick to point out that Antony stepping up for the penalty was important to build up his “confidence level” going forward.
“Antony’s game changed the moment [that] he took that [penalty kick], scoring really boosts their confidence level,” one fan said.
Someone else added: “It’s funny how everyone is complaining that Rashford didn’t take the penalty like Antony doesn’t need a confidence boost as well.”
A third X user posted: “Antony is nowhere near the priority penalty takers at Manchester United but they let him take it so that he gains his confidence. That’s team spirit.”
While another wrote: “Lovely first half, took advantage of their chances. Antony needs to drive that right wing but he did well [though] with those short passes and flicks. That goal was a confidence booster for him.”
“Antony’s confidence is growing now. Having a much better game than how he started it,” a fifth pointed out.
Another commented: “Antony [is] really playing with some confidence.”
And a seventh tweeted: “I still believe there is a player in Antony. It could well be the old siege mentality, anyone who followed United, I should be accustomed to, but he tries and if he could gain confidence too, I’m convinced he can be an asset. If you can’t ignore the fee, that’s on you.”
Somebody else simply said: “Fair play, Antony, took confidence to take that.”
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