Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admits that Antony has to ‘speed up’ as the forward continues to struggle in the final third.
The Brazil international has been woeful in the first two matches this season.
Speaking ahead of the Nottingham Forest game, Ten Hag was quizzed on Antony’s poor form.
He told Manutd.com: “The outcome in Brazil was clear and he completed a good pre-season. He’s also scoring some goals.
“He is more often in situations where he is a threat for the opponent, but not only a threat. He’s in the key moments there, where he should have been.
“Now we have to finish. In pre-season, he scored two goals and, also, I think, one assist. So, I think he is in a good direction.
“Now he has to speed up because, for us, good is not good enough. So don’t get distracted. Focus on football and on performing.”
Time for Antony to step up and deliver
Antony joined United from Ajax last summer in a £82 million move.
The winger has shown glimpses of his talent. His breakneck pace down the right flank and trickery helps United to move high up the pitch.
He often gets into promising positions but disappoints with his final pass or shot.
His decision-making in the final third has been very poor, which is reflected in his statistics.
In 44 appearances last season, he bagged eight goals and four assists.
He is too reliant on his strong left foot, which is also easily recognisable to opponents.
They try to block his movements inwards, forcing him to move wide and use his weak right foot to cross.
In the two games this season, he has been guilty of giving away ball possession cheaply.
Wolverhampton Wanderers got two good chances to score when Antony lost the ball.
Ten Hag has protected the 23-year-old over the past 12 months.
However, it is time for Antony to step up and show why the Dutchman was eager to bring him to Old Trafford.
