Former right-back Gary Neville believes it is imperative that Antony makes an encouraging start to his Manchester United career after being handed his debut against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Manager Erik ten Hag, who was desperate to add the Brazilian to his squad throughout the summer, threw the winger straight into the starting line-up following his arrival from Ajax on transfer deadline day. He replaced Anthony Elanga in the starting line-up, meaning Jadon Sancho was forced to start on the left.
Antony, who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, is under huge pressure to deliver the goods at Old Trafford, after United made the decision to invest more than £85million in his signature. Ajax were reluctant to sell the 22-year-old, meaning the Reds were forced to dive deep into their transfer kitty to get a deal over the line.
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But regardless of the fee, Neville has instead that it is important that the former Sao Paulo man gets off to an impressive start. United have had few positive outcomes with their big-money signings in recent years and Antony will be determined to buck that trend.
"Well, it's so exciting to see how Antony does today," Neville told Sky Sports moments before kick-off. "75,000 are in this ground looking forward to it.
"You'd ordinarily say for any new signing there's a bedding in period, but I think it's so important Antony starts well in his Manchester United career. Over the last ten years, the ones who haven't started well, have struggled to reverse that trend."
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