Gary Neville criticized Manchester United’s Antony during the Red Devils’ Carabao Cup clash with Nottingham Forest yesterday and insists the Sao Paulo star must follow Riyad Mahrez’s example if he is to improve.
“I have been thinking a lot about Antony in the last few days, and how he has to develop [like] that of Mahrez at City, who is a right foot,” Neville said during his commentary for Sky Sports.
“He has to learn to be able to think that people are…the defender is going to try to cut off that left foot, but then he could pretend to go there and then come back out on the right.
“At the moment it is still a bit predictable. Trying to force it on that left foot. The defenders are just shutting it down.”
Antony has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, with many observers criticizing United for spending so much on the Brazilian.
It is perhaps worth noting that Mahrez, a player thoroughly accustomed to Premier League football before his transfer, took a full season to adjust to before becoming a key player at City.
His first campaign saw a return of eight goals, just three more than Antony has managed in a United shirt in around half the time.
However, Neville raises some valid points about Antony’s predictability, and the winger could mix up his game a bit more in the final third.
It’s unlikely that he would suddenly develop a good right foot, but during his time at Ajax Antony was very effective when using the outside of his left boot to launch crosses to the front post or break through the defence, as he demonstrated by setting up Bruno Fernandes for a chance yesterday.
It is curious that the fans have seen him carry out actions of this type on so few occasions, the Brazilian almost always opting for the opportunity to finish off with the instep.
One foot or not, Antony has the tools to go outside where he can become a more effective chance creator at Old Trafford.
It’s unclear if it’s a newfound selfishness or a desperation to prove himself that needs to be controlled.
It may even be a result of the different attacking styles between this United team and the one Diez Hag managed at Ajax.
The Eredivisie champions were known for flooding the penalty area with numbers, while many of United’s attackers often prefer to receive the ball facing the opposition defence.
The addition of Wout Weghorst and the promising partnership he appears to be forging with Bruno Fernandes may well have the effect of persuading Antony that a ball will be received in the danger zone.
In any case, his focus should be on creating chances for his teammates, as while his goal production and off-the-ball work have been good so far, his creativity is lacking.
