Amorim makes BOLD Antony promise

Cameron Smith

Updated: 20 Dec 2024 16:33 GMT
3 min read

Ruben Amorim has vowed to help Antony after admitting that Manchester United’s second-most expensive signing of all time “needs more confidence.”

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Antony, 24, has struggled since his €95 million move to Old Trafford in 2022 and he is yet to start a Premier League match so far this season.

The former Brazil international has only racked up 322 minutes of action across all competitions since the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, but he was included in Man Utd’s starting XI against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening.

Following his performance versus Ange Postecoglou’s side, Amorim told reporters: “He needs more confidence. If you remember the Antony I played against him in Ajax, he lacks a bit of confidence to go one against one but he will improve.

“He’s working really hard and he’s trying. He’s playing more inside than outside, especially in this game, and he just has to do that: work really hard and I will help him to be a better player.”

Antony featured for Ajax against Amorim’s Sporting CP in the Champions League group stage back in 2021, with the Brazilian scoring during a 4-2 win for the Eredivisie giants at the Johan Cruyff Arena and providing two assists in the away fixture.

Antony at Man Utd

Antony has been heavily linked with a Man Utd departure since the start of 2024, but the possible exits of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford could provide him with a lifeline at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old has only scored 12 goals in 92 appearances for the Red Devils, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has plummeted to under €25m amid his current lack of form.

However, Antony has over two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Man Utd and Amorim appears eager to ensure he reaches his potential in the coming months.