Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam urges Antony to ‘shift up a gear’ after disappointing Premier League debut
- Antony failed to live up to expectations last season, scoring just four league goals
- Former defender Jaap Stam says the Brazilian has the ingredients to succeed
- But he has urged Antony to be less predictable now that he has adapted to the competition
Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has called on Antony to improve after a disappointing debut season in the Eredivisie.
The Brazilian winger transferred from Ajax to the Red Devils for £85.5 million last summer but did not live up to the high expectations.
Stam believes Antony has the skills to be a success at Old Trafford, but he needs to ‘shift up a gear’ and become less predictable in the upcoming new season.
Speak against United’s official sitesaid the 51-year-old: ‘Of course you know that Antony has quality, on the ball.
“He’s got a decent pace, even if he’s not blazing fast. He needs to become, and I know we talked about a predictable style of play, then he needs to step up a gear to change something.
Antony did not live up to expectations last season after he switched from Ajax for 85.5 million pounds
Former United defender Jaap Stam has urged the Brazilian to become less predictable
“As a winger you always have to be very decisive. You must take the initiative on the ball. You have to move forward. You have to put on your one-v-ones and you have to give your opponents a hard time by going in one time and going out the other.
“Sure, that’s the thing I think he needs to do a little bit more of,” Stam said. ‘But we also know him from the Netherlands. We know his abilities and his qualities. And I think he could up a gear, you know, one or two gears.
So he has to show that this season. Last season he also had to get used to the competition and get used to the opposition he faces.
“So it will be exciting to see how he changes his game next season.”
Despite his hefty price tag, Antony netted just 10 times last season and made five assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for United.
Antony came under great criticism last season, but hopes to improve in the new season
He was hugely criticized by former United players for trying several tricks in particular its signature spin of 720 degrees during United’s 3-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol last October.
United club legend, Paul Scholes, ripped at the striker after the game: “Does that mean anyone? Does that affect him? I should ask him – even with a 4-0 lead, what does that do to you?’
Despite his poor tally of goals, Antony helped United to the Carabao Cup and a place in the Champions League last season.
Ten Hag’s side will open their Premier League campaign in two weeks when they receive Wolves.