Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has pledged to continue improving Antony after he was criticised for showing a "ridiculous" show of skill in the side’s three-goal win over FC Sheriff Tiraspol.
Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo were all on target as United sealed a comfortable victory at home to the Moldovan champions in Thursday’s night Europa League action at Old Trafford – as they sealed their place in the knockout stages.
The Brazilian did not have his most impactful performance during the game, with his most eye-catching moment coming as he performed a double pirouette on the ball – before playing a pass towards the penalty area in the direction of the onrushing Casemiro, but it went straight out of play. Antony was substituted off at half-time for Rashford, who scored United’s second goal.
Ten Hag told reporters at his post-match press conference: “I do not have a problem with that, as long as it is functional. So from him, like everyone else, I demand more. More runs behind, being more often in the (opposition’s) box. More pressing. More dribbles against opponents. More playing in the pockets. We demand more dominance.
“Then there is a trick like that which is nice, but as long as it is functional and you do not lose the ball. Then it is ok. But it is a trick and because of the trick, I will correct him.”
BT Sport co-commentator Robbie Savage fumed of the incident: "If I was a manager I'd drag him off." Pundit Paul Scholes added: "I don't know what he's doing. It's ridiculous. It's showboating. But that's the way he plays I've seen him do it at Ajax as well. I think he needs that knocking out of him."
Have Your Say! What did you make of Antony’s extravagant move? Tell us what you think here.
Another former United star, Owen Hargreaves, also agreed with Scholes in his assessment of Antony's decision-making, adding: "If you're going to do it, you don't really do that. You don't even do that when you're three or four-nil up.
"You've got to show respect for the other team. But I guess that's just him. Sometimes players want to show their skills. You need to be functional with it and he wasn't there. And then when you kick it out, I don't think that helps."
