Erik ten Hag backs Antony to succeed at Manchester United | OneFootball

With just two goal contributions in 1,342 minutes for Manchester United this season, Antony has been on the receiving end of criticism, but Erik ten Hag has backed his player to re-find his old form.

When asked about potential contributing factors to Antony’s form this season, Ten Hag stated:

“It started with that outside case and then he didn’t play like he should be. So pre-season, I think he played very well. He scored two goals in pre-season. But after the first games, when that issue was in Brazil, he came back. He wasn’t anymore the person like he was before. And that did something with his belief.

“And one of the big skills from Antony is that he’s very brave. So he has to find that and that’s up to him. We will support him, absolutely. All staff, me as a manager, I support him and I have 100 percent belief in him. I know what he is capable of.

“And I have seen his moments. I have seen that for Ajax. In 82 games, he scored 24 goals and had 22 assists. And he was performing in the Champions League. He was unstoppable. Also we have seen here, in his first three Premier League games, he scored three goals, so he is capable of it.”

Antony has played 20 games in the Premier League this season, but has started just 11 and is yet to register a goal or assist in the competition while on FBRef, the 24-year-old Brazilian doesn’t stand out in any metric.

When asked whether Antony’s personal situation has affected the player’s performance, Ten Hag added:

“Not anymore. But definitely it has had. And so now he left this behind. But for a moment in the season it had absolutely an impact on him. And you could see it in his performance, in his attitude.

“But now he’s back. Of course it affected him and the process is still going. Now he has to turn the point and to bring his big potential again.

“And therefore you have to fight and you have to give every day the maximum. And I see in the training he’s doing that. So yes, he will turn the corner.”

Manchester United travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup this evening.

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