Erik ten Hag has experienced some rough moments in his maiden campaign in charge of Manchester United but they have been outweighed by the steady progress made under the Dutchman.
United have won more games in all competitions than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues and Ten Hag also recently put an end to the Reds’ six-year wait for a trophy.
The 2-0 win over Newcastle United at Wembley at the end of February was, however, followed by a disastrous performance at Anfield seven days later.
United fell by a whopping seven goals to their bitter rivals, with Liverpool inflicting the worst defeat in Premier League history on the Old Trafford club.
Antony, who joined the club in a big-money deal at the end of last summer’s transfer window, started that game. Speaking after scoring a wonderful curler against Real Betis in the Europa League, the Brazil international admitted that he struggled to sleep after the game.
“We came from an extremely hurtful defeat and it was hard to sleep that day. But in football you can’t cry about the past. We know that result is never acceptable,” Antony said after beating Real Betis, according to the Liverpool Echo.
“It was important to show a reaction [against Betis]. I was very happy to see the fans showing their support.
“There’s always 70,000 or more fans in this stadium, it’s impressive. They are our fuel. We will put this club where it deserves to be.”
SN’s verdict…
Antony’s first season at United has been far from straightforward but one quality that he undeniably possesses is his commitment to the cause and determination.
He has the grit Ten Hag was desperate to add to the squad and Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, the standout arrivals last year, have also added the same mindset.
Roughly two months remain of this season and although it may not have been the season Antony was hoping for on an individual level, he has been a part of a greatly improved United.
