Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has called for new signing Antony to be given time to adapt to the Premier League and has questioned Erik ten Hag's approach in the transfer window this summer.
Antony was finally announced as a United player on Thursday after an arduous summer transfer window. Ajax finally agreed to let the 22-year-old leave for an initial fee of €95million (£82.2m) that could eventually rise to €100m (£86.5m) with add-ons.
The Brazilian was not registered in time to play in United's 1-0 win over Leicester City, but is set to make his debut at Old Trafford on Sunday when the Reds take on Arsenal. Ten Hag will know just how dangerous Antony can be from their time together at Ajax, but whether he will hit the ground running is still to be seen.
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United's former defender has called for Antony to be given time to adapt to the Premier League as he makes the transition from the Eredivisie. However, Evra has also sent Ten Hag a warning over his transfer strategy this summer and how it might impact his selection policy this season.
Speaking to Betfair, he said: "The Premier League is a different league, and players will be shocked when they see the defenders and how much stronger and faster they are. We have to give Antony time, but he's a good signing.
"I hope that Ten Hag won't rely on the players he's coached in the past too much because it's a different league, but I think what he is looking for right now is trust. He wants to trust those players, and know that they are going to die for him. I think this is the right direction, but he has to make sure that if results go bad he can change things, because people will say: 'you're not in Holland, this is the Premier League'.
"I understand why he's bringing in players he's worked with because he knows that previously, players at the club weren't working that hard and they weren't dying for the manager. He doesn't want to make the same mistakes. He knows those players he's brought in, he trusts them, he's seen them play and now they will want to prove themselves.
"For those players coming in, they will be thinking: 'he has given them the opportunity to play for the best club in the world, I can't let him down'. Those players have massive responsibilities, so it's a win-win for both."
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