‘He can kill opponents’… Ten Hag says teams can’t cope with Antony

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has backed Antony’s ability to change games and influence matches.

No Manchester United player has had a harder time from the press this season than new signing Antony.

It was entirely predictable. Arriving on a big money fee from Ajax, far above his market value, and the scrutiny has been relentless.

Not even a winner against Barcelona and a stunning goal in the following round has slowed down the media nit-picking at any shortcomings they perceive.

Antony was hailed by one of his critics at the weekend when Paul Scholes lauded his display against Everton as the best game he has seen him play.

But come Ten Hag’s pre-Sevilla press conference, and the media were questioning why Antony has not scored a league goal since October – when he started with three goals in three games.

Erik ten Hag has given him his absolute backing. Antony has netted seven goals in total, only two Manchester United players have scored more this season.

Ten Hag lauds Antony

Erik ten Hag praised Antony’s display against Everton and noted that Toffees boss Sean Dyche had to make a tactical adjustment simply to cope with him.

He said: “We have to win games together and that is my experience with him. He is a fighter, he likes challenges and with him in the team, teams are winning.

“He can kill opponents. We have seen on Saturday when the manager from Everton after half-time he brings another player because he is killing the left full-back.2

The manager went on to add: “He’s a young player and I think when you see his record – you mentioned he is not scoring in the Premier League but he did score against Betis really important goal straight after half-time. He did score against Barcelona the winner. You can’t say these are not big games.

“He did also score in cup games and if you can do it in such games you can also do it in Premier League games, so I don’t have a concern about that.”

Just the media looking to create more out of nothing and pick holes in Antony’s play. I am sure we will see this time and time again, and Antony will keep on making them look silly.