Manchester United have battled back from a goal down to claim a win in both their previous Europa League encounter and in the most recent Manchester derby.
Ruben Amorim’s patient approach is bearing fruit with the players looking much more comfortable with the ball and focusing on maintaining control rather than having to rely only on counter-attacks.
In both their most recent wins, the Portuguese boss turned to Antony to add to the attacking armoury and the Brazilian has done a decent job in an unfamiliar position.
While the former Ajax star would prefer playing as the right-sided attacker, Amorim has deployed him in the right wingback role while the in-form Amad Diallo has been played further forward.
Antony decent as a sub
And instead of raising a hue and cry, Antony has got on with the job and after the win against Manchester City, the coach came out and praised him impact as a substitute.
It must be remembered that when Erik ten Hag was at the helm, his overreliance on the right winger had turned many supporters against him as the Brazil international hardly made the right moves since his arrival at the club.
Always looking to cut in and shoot, fans and pundits termed him a one-trick pony and his lack of pace and physical prowess meant his future looked bleak once the Dutchman was sacked.
But Amorim has remained true to his words and has offered each and every player a clean slate and the 24-year-old has emerged as a backup option on the right with versatility a huge draw for the Portuguese tactician.
Amorim praise
“I think, when we started, everybody is from scratch,” Ruben told talkSPORT (via ManUtd.com). “We took like one month to explain that everything has a new beginning because every person deserves a new beginning and the power is in their hands because, if they show it, I will put them in to play.
“I just want to win. They are responsible to play, not me. He did a great job improving in that position. He has to defend more but he has the ability to do it and has to do it himself.”
Despite the recent displays, United should look to move on the former Sao Paulo star and bring in a proper right wingback capable of adhering to the coach’s demands.
The Red Devils are likely to incur a huge loss on their initial investment of £86 million a couple of years ago with the player likely to go down as one of the worst buys in recent years.
Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
