Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have started showing signs of genuine improvement with some eye-catching performances in recent big games.
A huge win away at Manchester City was followed by what should have been another statement victory away at Tottenham if not for some individual errors.
Most of the calls Ruben Amorim has made have paid off massively, not least of which was dropping Marcus Rashford from the first-team picture for now.
The Man Utd manager came in with the task of lifting the morale of the club and he has probably deemed Rashford not up to the standard in his application.
It resulted in another player getting his chance in an unexpected position vs Spurs which he didn’t make the most of but showed encouraging signs nonetheless.
Ruben Amorim reveals Antony ‘lacking confidence’
After some positive outings as a wing-back in recent games, Amorim surprised many by picking Antony as one of the two attacking midfielders vs Spurs.
The Brazilian’s game is not renowned for operating in small spaces or quick thinking, for that matter, so putting him as a No. 10 was a gamble, to say the least.
There were no positive shocks as Antony struggled vs Spurs and remained peripheral in the game before coming off as the first change in the 55th minute.
To compound his struggles, Amad came on and was the star of the show despite limited minutes in the game, a microcosm of the Brazilian’s Man Utd career so far.
However, Amorim showed the masterful side of his man-management after the game as he admitted that Antony wasn’t up to the mark but left the crumbs for a potential comeback.
He said: “He needs more confidence. If you remember Antony and I played against him in Ajax. He lacks a little bit of confidence to go to one against one so he will improve.
“But he’s working really hard and he’s trying to display more inside than outside, especially in this game.”
Antony’s work rate and desire to improve has never been under question and by all accounts, that’s the trait Amorim values more than anything else.
Ruben Amorim sends clear message to Antony
Amad has forced himself into an untouchable status by combining limitless talent with fierce determination and hard work while Rashford stands at the opposite end of that spectrum so far.
Amorim has always insisted on controlling the controllable, work ethic, and professionalism in this case.
He sent a clear message to Antony after the game that as long as he keeps working hard and applying himself, Amorim will take it upon himself to make him a better player.
He said: “He just has to do that, to work really hard and I will happily help him to be a better player.”
The words of the Man Utd manager aren’t hollow platitudes either, as the likes of Harry Maguire, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, and even Joshua Zirkzee have looked improved in their short time under Amorim.
He has demanded complete buy-in from the players and that’s where he has separated the squad between those listening to him and those who are not.
Antony should remain determined to remain in the former camp to keep alive any chances of resuscitating his flailing career at Old Trafford.
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