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Rio Ferdinand is optimistic Antony will get better in time at Manchester United – just like Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. Both defenders, who were stalwarts of the Sir Alex Ferguson era when they played alongside Ferdinand at the back, took their time to settle at Old Trafford before they started to hit top form for the Red Devils.
It seems to have been one step forward and two steps back for the Brazilian ever since he arrived at Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £86million from Ajax.
Although there have been huge moments of promise – including recent strikes in Europa League victories over Barcelona and Real Betis – the winger has become all too predictable at times.
Antony refuses to use his right foot, meaning defenders know his only party trick which is cutting inside onto his left.
But Ferdinand thinks it’s too soon to judge the 23-year-old, who he believes needs more time to settle in the Premier League.
Ferdinand said on his show FIVE: “Not everyone hits the ground running. How many players do you sign and after a year you get rid of him?
“We had Evra. First six months at Man United he could have been shipped out and sold and no one would have remembered him.
“Vidic too, and they all of a sudden became legends given time and I hope Antony will fall into that category.”
Antony couldn’t have got off to a better start at Old Trafford, netting in his first three top-flight outings against Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton.
His debut goal against Arsenal provided hope that United may have acquired a special talent but Antony just hasn’t lived up to scratch since making a huge impression during his bow.
The Brazil international was mocked on Sunday after telling compatriot Casemiro that United would win the match for him following his red card.
But the 10-man Red Devils failed to come up trumps as they were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
Erik ten Hag was recently critical of his former Ajax star after he was left frustrated by Antony’s first-half showing against Real Betis in the Europa League.
“I don’t think he can only do it in the Europa League because he scored in his first three games in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said.
“But in the first half, he could do better to make more actions, be more brave, go more behind, taking players on, more movement, using his speed. The second-half performance was much better, he made a great goal, an important goal.”
Antony has mustered nine goals and three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
However, only three of those strikes have come in the Premier League and were scored in his first three top-flight matches, showing little indication of development and progress.
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