West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has identified the quality Manchester United now have in midfield as the biggest change when facing Erik ten Hag‘s side.
The Red Devils beat the Hammers 1-0 at Old Trafford last night to earn a battling three points.
Antonio came off the bench just before the hour mark, but like the rest of his Irons teammates the Jamaican international couldn’t find a way past an inspired David de Gea and resolute United backline.
The 32-year-old was asked on Match of the Day 2 to specifically identify what he felt was the biggest change facing Manchester United under the former Ajax manager.
Antonio pinpoints the big change in Manchester United
Antonio said: “You can see the quality of them going forward with [Christian] Eriksen dropping into pockets, Casemiro being able to put balls in behind and then they’ve got Bruno Fernandes, so ball playing midfielders.
“It’s the quality and you can see the quality coming out where over the last couple of years there was a little bit of lost connection in the middle where now they have got that.”
It’s no disrespect to Scott McTominay and Fred who work incredibly hard for the team, but United’s first choice midfield trio under the Dutchman bring that sprinkle of stardust as well as authority and control.
Unlike in recent years when United have come unstuck against sides that sit in a low block, the additions of Eriksen and Casemiro alongside Fernandes mean that the twenty-time league champions have three quality midfield technicians who can carve opposition defences apart with just one pass.
It was Eriksen’s teasing cross that presented Marcus Rashford with the perfect opportunity to head home his 100th goal for the Reds.
United are eight games unbeaten across all competitions and while the quality continues to shine through so does the ever-growing togetherness and resilience that is evidently building within the group.
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