Reds boss: ‘Ant can still give more’
ERIK ten Hag insists there is still plenty of room for improvement from Antony after his man of the match display in United’s win over Reading.
The Brazilian winger caught the eye as the Reds booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over the Championship side at Old Trafford last night.
Antony made a brilliant pass to set up Casemiro for his first goal of the game, who quickly added a second. Their compatriot Fred completed the scoring when he backheeled the ball in following a shortcorner routine.
It was another impressive performance from Antony in a Reds shirt, but Ten Hag is eager to see more from his summer signing in the weeks ahead.
“I have more experience with him,” the United manager said after the match.
“We have to challenge him and if you challenge him he can adapt and adjust his game.
“He has to be more variable, more dynamic. He needs his team-mates around him, but also how to use his team-mates. He has to work on it. I think there is still room for improvement.”
Casemiro impressed again with another commanding midfield performance and surprised many with his finishing to give United a two-goal lead in the match.
The 30-year-old has been a revelation since he arrived from Real Madrid last summer, but Ten Hag insists he has not been surprised by just how good the midfielder has been.
He added: “After that, you can say, ‘Yeah, I expected that’. You see his profile, and if you see his performance in the last year for Real Madrid they play at such a high level, they win four or five Champions Leagues. That is the highest trophy you can win in club football. The first one who was always in the starting 11 for managers was Casemiro.”
Meanwhile, captain Harry Maguire also hailed Casemiro, telling MUTV: “Cas is a top player and has been a top player throughout his career. You don’t win what he has won without being that and playing every game in the success that he has had for club and country.
“He is an amazing player and an amazing character, more importantly.
“To have him around the place lifts the morale. In and out of possession he has really improved us.”