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When Antony scored his first Manchester United goal just 35 minutes into his debut in September 2022, a feeling of cautious optimism swept its way through Old Trafford.
The Brazilian, who had finalised his big-money move from Ajax just three days earlier, swept United into a 1-0 lead against Arsenal, who had arrived in M16 defending a 100 per cent record. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could only watch as Antony raced away to celebrate, slamming and kissing the crest on his shirt.
If he had planned to make a telling impact the night before, that was the way to have done it. Unfortunately for him, though, goal celebrations in United colours have been few and far between.
Almost 14 months on from his debut strike, the 23-year-old has only celebrated a goal of his own on seven more occasions, last scoring on April 16. He netted United’s opener in a 2-0 away win over Nottingham Forest that day, before providing the assist for Diogo Dalot to double their lead in the second half.
At the time, following a barren run in front of goal, it was hoped that Antony’s influence on the victory at the City Ground would be a turning point in his United career. Manager Erik ten Hag, who was so insistent on being reunited with him in England in his first summer at the club, challenged him to replicate similar exploits on a more frequent basis.
”I defended him but he knows, I know as well,” said Ten Hag, speaking back in April. “When you are a striker you need end product, he already has it as he has scored in all competitions now, eight or nine goals, in his first year at United and there are still games to go.
“He has to do it, not in every game, but he needs to do it in many games if you want to be a top-class player, especially in all the competitions.
”In the Premier League, you are up against high-quality defenders and you have to act on a really high level, you need to make that decision, scan in a split moment and you can only do that in a moment.”
Ten Hag’s plea fell on deaf ears. Since making the aforementioned admission, the Dutchman has seen his most expensive signing register just one assist in 16 matches in all competitions. His last goal contribution was when he teed up Anthony Martial against Wolves at Old Trafford in May.
Though you may throw some caveats in, there is no excusing such a dreadful return for a winger that could end up costing United north of £85m. As a winger, it is your responsibility to score goals and create them for your teammates.
Antony, quite simply, has not done that, certainly not frequently enough, since arriving in England a little over a year ago. He has made seven appearances for United so far this season, starting on five occasions, and in each of them he has failed to leave his calling card.
He returned to the starting line-up for the first time since his recent spell out of the team against Sheffield United on Saturday evening, starting on the right of the front-three, and he failed to offer much in the way of encouragement. He didn’t position himself high enough inside the Blades’ half to impact proceedings, meaning it was hardly surprising when he was hooked after 64 minutes.
Though he is only 23 and is still adjusting to life in England, there comes a point where you can no longer make excuses. Ten Hag identified Antony as his primary target to strengthen United’s right-wing options and it is fair to say that his thinking is yet to be justified.
Antony, as a winger and certainly as a Brazil international, should be making things happen for United. Instead, it can often be as though the Reds are playing without a right-sided winger, such is the way he goes hiding in games.
Ten Hag needs to find a way to unlock the winger’s potential.