Erik ten Hag claims Antony improved six things in second half for Manchester United vs Real Betis

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Erik ten Hag said Antony needs to be braver for Manchester United after he struck the winning goal against Real Betis. Antony regained United's lead in their 4-1 Europa League round-of-16 first leg victory with a marvellous curling strike in the 32nd minute two weeks on from his winner against Barcelona.

The 23-year-old has netted seven times since his £85.51million transfer from Ajax yet has struggled to produce form on a consistent basis and Ten Hag has occasionally been critical of Antony's performances. Read more: United player ratings vs Real Betis Ten Hag admitted he was unsatisfied with Antony's contribution in a patchy first half against Betis. "I don't think he can only do it in the Europa League games because he scored in his first three games in the Premier League. "But in the first half, he could do better to make more actions, be more brave, go more behind, taking players on, but especially more movement, using his speed. "And I think the second half performance was much better, he made a great goal, an important goal." United responded impressively to their 7-0 aberration at Anfield on Sunday to all but progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Fulham on Sunday week.

With two more trophies to play for and United third in the Premier League in a season where they have already ended their silverware drought, Ten Hag was pleased with the support from the matchgoers four days on from the shellacking by Liverpool. "I was curious about that and I was pleased by the response from the crowd to the team," Ten Hag added. "They were from minute one, behind the team, the team gave energy by the performance and they gave it back. "Once again, there is a great bond