Erik ten Hag was not entirely full of praise for Antony’s display in Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Real Betis, despite the player scoring a good goal in the second half.
Marcus Rashford scored early for the home team at Old Trafford before Ayoze Perez levelled things up for the Spanish club in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 clash.
Antony curled in a superb effort to put United back ahead, before Bruno Fernandes and Weghorst made it 4-1 win for Ten Hag’s side.
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It was a beautiful strike from the former Ajax star as he pulled off his trademark trick of cutting in from the right and curling a left-footed effort into the top corner.
Ten Hag does not believe it was a perfect performance though, with the United manager not impressed by his first half display, although it was vastly improved after the break.
Antony has not been in the best form in the Premier League, and Ten Hag was asked if the Brazilian star could only do it in the Europa League, but the manager was not having that suggestion.
‘I don’t think he can only do it in Europa League because he scored in his first three games in Premier League,’ said the United boss.
‘But in the first-half he could do better to make more actions, be more brave, go more behind, taking players on, more movement, using his speed.
‘The second half performance was much better, he made a great goal, an important goal.’
Ten Hag did have praise for another of his players, thoroughly impressed by the display of Fernandes.
‘I think he was the best player on pitch,’ said the manager. ‘He showed his personality. He played a bit of a deeper role and i think he did it brilliantly.
‘I think he was the leader and making the game from the back, with a lot of good passes in between the lines and from there on we create a lot of chances.’
