08 April 2023 , 23:00
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Erik ten Hag believes that Antony has performed adequately since his blockbuster summer switch to Manchester United in the wake of recent criticism which has been directed at the winger.
After months of speculation, the Brazil international arrived at Old Trafford in a deal which could eventually eclipse £85.5million from Ajax, where he flourished under the guidance of Ten Hag.
The 23-year-old chalked up 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for the Dutch giants but has struggled to replicate the same explosive performances that first piqued United's attention since swapping Amsterdam for the Premier League.
The former Sao Paolo youngster has even come in for some fierce criticism from several pundits, too, including Old Trafford icon Paul Scholes.
Antony's manager, however, is satisfied with the contributions he has made during his maiden season in English football - even if he does believe that the winger is capable of more in front of goal.
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Speaking after Manchester United's 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, Ten Hag was asked whether he felt players within the squad were capable of stepping up to ease the goalscoring burden on top-scorer Marcus Rashford or whether he needed fresh blood.
The Dutchman replied: "Maybe both. I think they can. Antony already scored a couple of goals - seven or eight goals - scoring in big games, it’s not bad for a winger, right? In his first season. Also against big opponents like Barcelona, [Real] Betis.
"[Jadon] Sancho, he has a period out, [Anthony] Martial can definitely do it, Bruno [Fernandes] also we know it. He’s now playing in a little bit deeper role so he’s further away from the goal but we have goal scoring players in our squad. We have to work on our scoring abilities but also we have to think about the transfer market, yes."
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Antony has been criticised by fans and pundits alike this term, but Erik ten Hag has defended the Manchester United winger (Michael Regan/Getty Images)As Ten Hag alluded to, Antony has netted several big goals for Manchester United this term and his tally of seven goals in all competitions (in addition to three assists) is a decent enough return, but his actual performances have left some people underwhelmed.
He felt the full wrath of the United faithful last weekend when he was criticised for slowing down an attack when Ten Hag's team were chasing a goal at St James' Park in a match they eventually lost 2-0.
The baffling moment capped an ineffective display and Antony was taken off by Ten Hag on the hour mark not long after his ill-judged decision to put the handbrake on.
Antony was taken off after an hour again in Sunday's 2-0 win over Everton but was far more effective, with Scholes - who has been particularly vocal on the winger's performances in the past - insisting that it was the "best game" he had seen Antony have since joining the club.