Erik ten Hag has echoed Rio Ferdinand's criticism of Manchester United star Antony, urging him to be more direct.
The Brazilian winger followed boss Ten Hag to Old Trafford over the summer by leaving Ajax in a record £86million transfer deal. Starting brightly, Antony scored on his debut to kick off an emphatic victory over Arsenal at his new home. Over the past few weeks, however, 22-year-old Antony - who was recently involved in a car crash - has suffered a significant dip in form and his poor performances of late have led to criticism from United legend Ferdinand.
Particularly flopping in Sunday's gut-wrenching 3-2 loss to Arsenal, the ex-Red Devils centre-back bemoaned on his YouTube channel, FIVE: "He just doesn't beat anyone. I'm sitting there thinking, 'Was that always the way?' I've seen clips of him when he was at Ajax and he was somebody who used to beat people."
Ferdinand's criticism made headlines in the wake of Sunday's defeat and Ten Hag appears to be in agreement. Ahead of United's first clash with Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Red Devils boss has urged Antony to "be more direct" and prove his worth, while also defending the £86m signing in other aspects of his game.
"When he is playing, the team is winning and that already gives a message I think how well he is performing," Ten Hag explained. "He can do better, I see space for improvement and, for instance - and I think you notice - we want him to be more direct, more involved. But the team is performing better if he is on the pitch and that is a good thing, a good base to build further on.
"I think he already makes improvement, he scored some goals, he scored in his first three games, now he scores against Everton and Charlton, so he has an impact. But I think with his capabilities, with his talents he can do even more. He has a good contribution in the team."
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Antony himself has already spoken out amid his rough patch, vowing to give everything to rediscover his early-season form with a defiant message. "Important week for us! Seeking to evolve to give my best to the team," the Brazil international wrote on social media ahead of the trip to Nottingham. "It has always been a dream to be here and I will give all I have to honour this club because we are stronger together!"
Unfortunately for Antony, there's a looming danger that he loses his place in Ten Hag's starting XI for the semi-final first leg. Team-mate Alejandro Garnacho is pushing for a start, potentially forcing the former Ajax sensation to watch from the bench.
