Premier League – With Antony, Manchester United have found their “missing link”

100 million euros for a talented but irregular player, who weighed at the time of his arrival 82 matches with Ajax Amsterdam. Antony, for a short time, first symbolized a transfer window that is totally head over heels on the other side of the Channel. But it only took him 35 minutes, during his first tenure in his new colors, Sunday once morest Arsenal (3-1), to symbolize something else: the revival of the Red Devils.

A perfectly open left foot to find the opposite side netting and open the scoring, and the Brazilian winger had already marked his territory at Old Trafford. The 22-year-old celebrated with rage, (already) kissing his crest with passion. What to conquer the hearts of his supporters. And rekindle the flame with Erik ten Hag, who had already been his coach on the Ajax side.

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We were missing a player on the right side

“I think we’ve all seen what a threat Antony poses. His speed and creativity can make him a big danger in the Premier Leagueunderlined the Dutch coach at the microphone of Sky Sports following the meeting. We were missing a player on the right side, because all the players who might play there, like Sancho and Rashford, prefer to be in the center or on the left. Now we have a player who can play very well in the right lane. It was a missing link.”

We almost forget Cristiano Ronaldo, once more on the bench at kick-off and came into play for a good half hour. But United now have a point that takes the depth perfectly with Rashford, and two pure “false foot” wingers, with Sancho and Antony. Three complementary players who also know how to swap, dezone.

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“Our attack is very strong, they have creativity, speed. It was the first time they played together (Antony and Rashford), and it was beautiful to see”, welcomed Ten Hag in the show “Match Of The Day”. Still, as a good coach, he did not forget the essential formula when talking regarding Antony once more: “He was very good, but I think he can improve.”

Defensive tasks and grinta

In 58 minutes, the Brazilian, for example, did not manage any dribble, he who managed four per game on average in his two Eredivisie matches at the start of the season. Not to mention that he only made 13 passes, which gives an idea of ​​his room for improvement – and that’s normal – in his integration into the Mancunian collective. On the other hand, he struck three times, framed twice, scored once, while seriously doing his defensive work.

Everything that was asked of him, in short, in the game of transitions set up by Ten Hag on Sunday, but also and above all in the commitment. “We saw that Arsenal play better together, have more habits. But our state of mind brought us victory”, pointed out the technician. And at this level, Antony is far from having denoted, quite the contrary, he who did not hesitate to harangue the crowd and confront his opponents.

Beyond his goal, the former Sao Paulo player scored points because he blended in perfectly with a United that is doing much better. In a team which, according to its manager, delivered the first ten minutes which were “the best of the season”. And who had not won four matches in a row in the Premier League since March-April 2021. “It was a big test for us today.reacted Marcus Rashford, decisive passer for Antony and double-scorer. We took up the challenge and we can be proud of ourselves”. A summary that can be read with the two grids: collective and individual.

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