Manchester United winger Antony has been criticised by pundit Dion Dublin for his lack of end product in the final third.
United were in Champions League action on Tuesday night, hosting FC Copenhagen in a must-win clash at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag had already suffered defeats at the hands of Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, so simply had to win this one.
Nobody will have left Old Trafford feeling that they had seen a classic but United just about did enough to win.
Harry Maguire’s header won it for United, but Andre Onana had to save an injury-time penalty in order to secure all three points and spark wild celebrations.
Manchester United winger Antony criticised
United got out of jail here and few will be enthused about this weekend’s clash with Manchester City.
A number of players need to step it up and one of them is winger Antony.
The Brazilian returned to action earlier this month but doesn’t quite look up to speed just yet.
Maybe there is some leeway after a month out, but Antony wasn’t exactly shining before that absence.
In fact, Antony has managed just three direct Premier League goal contributions – a goal or an assist – in 2023.
United need more from the £82million wide man and former striker Dion Dublin has now shared his view on Antony.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Dublin noted that Antony is impressive on the ball but just doesn’t have the consistent product to match.
“Antony looks so silky on the ball, but he needs an end product. When you play wide you either create or score goals that is all you have to do,” said Dublin.
My view: Antony has failed to truly build on hot Manchester United start
United fans thought a potential superstar had arrived when Antony joined from Ajax.
The 23-year-old scored in each of his first three games for United, bagging against Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton.
Remarkably, Antony has scored just one Premier League goal since that strike at Goodison Park, with two more coming in the Europa League, one more in the FA Cup and another in the EFL Cup.
United didn’t sign Antony for FA Cup and EFL Cup games though – Premier League and Champions League excellence is required in order to repay that huge price tag.
Faced up against the Copenhagen defence, Antony didn’t really shine; one shot, no key passes, no successful crosses, two successful dribbles and just 38 touches.
United need more and, for all the disappointment over Jadon Sancho, Antony hasn’t been all that much better.
Dublin is right; Antony needs to add that consistent end product to his game or Ten Hag will be left with no option but to look elsewhere.
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