Pundit Gary Neville believes Manchester United winger Antony should be studying Riyad Mahrez to improve his game.
Gary Neville watched on as Manchester United served up another dismal performance at Old Trafford.
After a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, United went and lost by the same scoreline at the hands of Newcastle United.
United are out of the Carabao Cup and boss Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure – especially with one of his signings struggling.
Gary Neville calls for Antony improvement
Antony was given a chance to start against Newcastle having cut a rather frustrated figure on the bench against City.
The Brazilian failed to really impact the game as United drew another blank in front of goal.
Antony just hasn’t offered anywhere near enough in the final third since arriving from Ajax for around £82million in 2022.
Neville didn’t really like what he saw on Wednesday night and now called for Antony to study a player sold by rivals City this summer.
Neville highlighted Riyad Mahrez – now in Saudi Arabia – as a player who can really influence Antony and make him a better player.
Antony is fairly predictable in terms of cutting onto his left foot and, whilst Mahrez often did the same, Neville feels he really worked on his right foot and made himself a better player.
Antony can do the same, with Neville feeling that he is still young and just needs some attention in terms of coaching and development.
“I said this last season, there is a player that’s just left Manchester City this summer, Riyad Mahrez, that I think Antony could look at a lot in terms of his efficiency and his decision-making,” said Neville.
“He cuts in on that left foot, work on the delivery with his left foot, then work on going outside on his right foot, which Mahrez did whilst he was at City. You can become more consistent in your work so the players in and around you know what you’re going to do.”
“He’s still very young, Antony, he just needs that sort of development and coaching,” he added.
My view: Erik ten Hag needs Antony to turn things around
There are obviously problems beyond Ten Hag’s control.
The ownership of the club has been well-documented whilst United have also had plenty of injury problems this season.
Yet Antony is starting to feel like a major misstep from Ten Hag; this was his signing, the man he wanted to bring in from Ajax.
United paid enormous money for Antony and have yet to receive consistent returns.
It all started so well with three goals in three games but Antony is now struggling and barely even looking a threat.
Ten Hag really needs Antony to find his best form again and prove that his big transfer wasn’t a mistake after all – even if it means copying a former City man in Mahrez.
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