'I know he's capable' - Erik ten Hag reveals challenge for Antony

  • Man Utd boss wants to see winger emulate his display at Stamford Bridge
  • The Reds face Liverpool Sunday having beaten them last month in the FA Cup
  • Antony is yet to score in the Premier League this season
Antony was one of Man Utd's best players at Stamford Bridge
Antony was one of Man Utd's best players at Stamford Bridge / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has challenged Antony to maintain his form after a positive performance in the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea.

Antony joined Man Utd from Ajax in 2022 for approximately £85.5m (€100m) but has largely failed to produce the showings such a high transfer often demands.

However, following a string of impactful appearances off the United bench - including scoring an equaliser in the recent FA Cup victory against Liverpool - the winger was rewarded with his first league start of 2024 on Thursday at a raucous Stamford Bridge.

Antony conceded a penalty early on but responded by delivering a superb assist for Alejandro Garnacho's second goal after half-time. Though the Red Devils ultimately succumbed to a 4-3 defeat, the Brazilian's performance during the clash against Mauricio Pochettino's men was a notable positive.


Marc Cucurella watches on as Antony skips away with the ball.
Antony provided an assist for Alejandro Garnacho against Chelsea. / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

As United gear up to host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, Ten Hag discussed Antony's performance against Chelsea in a club Q&A, emphasising it reached the level of performance he hopes to see more consistently.

He said: "I know he's capable of it. I've seen it so often, when I was manager of Ajax, but we haven't seen this.

"Maybe in the start [of Antony's United career] we've seen a glimpse, in the first three games when he scored three goals, but after that, [only] incidentally, like against Barcelona last season when he scored the winning goal, but he's capable of it.

"Yesterday night, I saw the Antony I want to see."

Antony produced four assists and two assists in his debut Premier League season in 2022/23 but it took until his 24th appearance this term to register his first goal contribution.


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