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."
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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."