In Focus: Antony finding form after a tricky debut season with United

Antony’s recent performances for Manchester United suggest he can live up to the massive fee that was paid for him last summer.

There was much criticism when Old Trafford chiefs shelled out £82million for the former Ajax winger, just before the transfer deadline. 

The Brazilian's displays this season have not always been convincing but there are now some signs of improvement and Erik ten Hag has spoken out in praise of his trickster. 

Ahead of the away leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla, we look at Antony's first season in Manchester and what the future may hold. 

Ajax sale

You sense that the criticism of Antony would have been more measured if the Red Devils had not paid such a huge transfer fee for his services. 

With the deal being done late in the window, Ajax held the advantage in negotiations, with the Sao Paulo native at the time being under contract until 2025. 

The Dutch giants did not need to sell, not least because United had already agreed a £57m deal for their centre-back Lisandro Martinez earlier in the summer. 

There was also some pressure from the fans for the club to spend, having failed in their lengthy pursuit of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, ultimately purchasing Casemiro from Real Madrid.

Yet while the Los Blancos anchor had all the credentials to suggest that his £70m acquisition was justifiable, having just won the Champions League with Real, the right-sided forward still had much to prove.

Manager verdict

Antony made an impression when he first arrived at Old Trafford, scoring in consecutive league games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton.

Yet he did not find the net again in the English top flight until last Sunday, when he capped a fine performance against Nottingham Forest with a goal and an assist. 

Following that display, Ten Hag was quick to praise his mercurial left-footer.

The former Ajax coach said: "Already he had quite a lot of end product. He scored in all competitions now, eight goals, first year at United is not bad and still games to go. 

"In the Premier League, there are a lot of quality defenders and you have to act on a really high level. It is a lot about scanning, taking the right decision. 

"There is only a split moment where you have to take that decision. He has to step up. Today was an example where, with both goals, he made the right decision." 

Problem position

A common criticism of Antony has been that his tendency to come inside on to his left foot and shoot is rather predictable but when quizzed, Ten Hag did not seem too concerned. 

He said: "He is so good on the inside. So I've seen, for instance, Arjen Robben a lot. They say he had only one trick but that one trick was so brilliant no one can stop it." 

Antony's perceived predictability might have a lot to do with other deficiencies in the team. He may have more options when he came inside, if there was a top-class striker in the middle. 

It is a position that the club will look to upgrade in the summer. An attacking right-back to rotate with Diogo Dalot is likely to be another priority signing, which could ultimately help the 23-year-old. 

Right wing has been a problem position itself at United for many years. Antony has not yet proved himself to be the ultimate solution but he has also shown more promise than his critics care to admit.