Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has praised Antony for improving the defensive aspects of his game following the 2-1 win against Everton at the weekend.

Paul Scholes made a veiled criticism of the Brazilian on social media after the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City, suggesting that he rarely tracked back to help defend, but ten Hag felt that the £85m signing is beginning to show that he can do the dirty work:

“I was quite [confident] that he could straight away have an impact, and in the first games he has had his good moments, he had his bad moments, but I think today he played his best game so far. Now you see his running behind, and that is what I expect from him. Now I see his pressing, his defending is much better than in the first games and he has his dribbles, so I am happy with his performance, I am happy with his development.”

As ten Hag mentions, it was Antony’s best display for the club so far at Goodison Park. He not only got on the scoresheet but he looked more willing to take on his man and run in behind, rather than always cutting inside and laying on a pass.

The 22-year-old also showed a greater work ethic, pressing the ball and putting in the hard yards. There are definitely areas where he can do better, though. He does tend to flit in and out of matches, and he was much quieter in the second half, but it was a decent showing overall.