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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Erik ten Hag might have discovered the solution to unlock Antony at Manchester United

The roar that greeted Antony's debut goal for Manchester United against Arsenal is unlikely to be a noise that the Brazilian ever forgets.

But aside from seeing that low, accurate, curling effort go past Aaron Ramsdale in the Gunners goal, the 22-year-old's first three appearances in United colours have failed to attract too much excitement. Aside from producing the odd flick here and the odd trick there, he has, in some ways, gone unnoticed.

It was a similar tale against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday evening. He was overshadowed by Jadon Sancho on the opposite flank and, at times, it was easy to forget that he was on the pitch, just as it was against Real Sociedad seven days earlier.

READ MORE: Lisandro Martinez gives his verdict on his partnership with Raphael Varane

In his defence, however, he is a young footballer whose life, both on and off the pitch, has been transformed in just a few weeks. He needs time to adjust to his new surroundings and grow into his role, just as fellow Ajax recruit Lisandro Martinez did.

However, such is the size of the price tag United paid to sign Antony, he is going to be expected to deliver the goods regularly. United manager Erik ten Hag earmarked him as his first-choice right-wing target, meaning there is pressure on both of them to justify the eye-watering £85.1million fee that United forked out.

Had it not been for his debut goal against Arsenal, Antony's start to life at Old Trafford would be being viewed far more negatively than it currently is. That was his prizing moment, but he has not done much else in his first three appearances.

However, Thursday night's win over Sheriff provided further proof that United's players are becoming more aligned with Ten Hag's philosophy and the way that he wants them to play. You can point out the caveat that they were facing a club that has never made it out of the group stage of any European competition they have entered, but United, like any other club, can only perform against whatever is in front of them.

United dominated proceedings in Moldova and, in truth, should have stepped on the gas just that little bit harder. Their passing play was exquisite at times and further signs of the players buying into Ten Hag's methods were clear.

One of the most notable characteristics of their approach was Diogo Dalot's ever-moving role on the right-hand side. Deployed in his usual right-back berth, the Portugal international rarely stuck to it, such was the luxury of the space he was allowed. He popped up in midfield before pushing high up the pitch in the right-wing berth.

Diogo Dalot picked up possession in the centre of midfield. (BT Sport.)

Ahead of Sancho's opener, which was crafted as a result of a 14-pass move, Dalot had moved into midfield to pick up possession, almost like Kyle Walker does for Manchester City. Dalot's movement, resulting in Sheriff players being dragged towards him and the ball, then allowed Antony to get on the ball and move into space.

Dalot, at the same time, darted across to the right-wing and made a forward run. The Brazilian did not use him as an option, instead moving the ball back inside, but it forced a Sheriff defender to be dragged out to the flank to monitor the United right-back.

Dalot, you could argue, has been one of United's most improved players under Ten Hag so far. He looked razor-sharp in pre-season, forming a promising partnership with Sancho down the right, and played a key role in the goals that secured the back-to-back 1-0 Premier League wins over Southampton and Leicester City respectively.

He is getting a lot of joy down the right, but it is Ten Hag's tactical approach that requires him to come inside that could pave the way for Antony to succeed. Dalot moving inside to get on the ball and overload the midfield automatically drags one or two opposing players into the centre, freeing up space for Antony on the right.

Diogo Dalot attempts to dart into space, dragging players with him, allowing Antony to come inside and continue the build-up, although the former had created another option with his run. (BT Sport.)

If United continue to probe with that particular trait and are quick enough in possession to get the ball back out wide to Antony, it could allow him to weave his magic, as he loves to cut inside and shoot on his favoured left foot. Dalot, like Tyrell Malacia in the opposite full-back berth, is proving crucial to the way that United want to play, with Ten Hag wanting to trust his full-backs to tuck in and be comfortable in possession.

Both are proving reliable so far and it could turn out that Dalot might be the key to unlocking Antony's potential. The signs were there in pre-season that the role of United's full-backs were changing. Ten Hag now might be able to use that to unleash his star signing once and for all.

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