Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has called on Antony to improve after a disappointing debut season in the Premier league.
The Brazilian winger joined the Red Devils from Ajax for £85.5million last summer but failed to live up to high expectations.
Stam believes Antony has the skill set to be a success at Old Trafford but needs to 'step up a gear' and become less predictable in the upcoming new season.
Speaking to United's official site, the 51-year-old said: 'You know Antony's got quality, of course, on the ball.
'He's got decent pace, even if he's not lightning. He needs to become, and I know we were talking about being predictable in a way of playing, then he needs to step up a gear to make a change.
'As a winger, you always need to be very decisive. You need to take initiative on the ball. You need to go forward. You need to take on your one-v-ones and you need to make it difficult for your opposition by, one time, going inside and, the other time, going outside.
'Of course, that's the thing that I think he still needs to do a little bit more,' said Stam. 'But we know him from Holland as well. We know his ability and his quality. And I think he can step up, you know, one or two gears.
'So he needs to show that this season. He had last season as well to get adjusted to the league and to get adjusted to the opposition he's facing as well.
'So it is going to be exciting to see how he's going to be changing his game next season.'
Despite his hefty price tag, Antony found the net just 10 times and provided five assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for United last season.
He came under huge criticism from former United players for attempting several tricks, notably his trademark 720-degree spin during United's 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol last October.
United club legend, Paul Scholes, ripped into the forward after the game: 'Does that do anything for anybody? Does that do anything for himself? I'd have to ask him - even at 4-0 up what does that do for you?'
Despite his poor goal tally, Antony helped guide United to the Carabao Cup last term as well as a place in the Champions League.
Ten Hag's side will open their Premier League campaign in a fortnight when they host Wolves.
Netilosz
3
Antony did well in his debut than Jack Grelish
vidabdipt
0
antony more goal than hojlund..last year
Shmonny
6
This is why we love football 🫶
Tesman⚽
0
lol let's not forget that it's a pre season pls the players are squad of being injured except Martinez. let's see what happens when the season starts and when a 9 joins
jamrockballer
1
Compare Sancho stats to Anthony stats. Leave Anthony alone it's his first year give him time
jamrockballer
0
they shouldn't criticize him, all these English pundits who criticised Maguire with 80m what of Sancho 75m this are England players nobody is talking about them rather they encourage them that they need time to adjust, how many goals did Sancho score at his first season at united, make them leave Antony alone please
I wish I cloud give you a hundred likes.
jamrockballer
2
8 goals and 2 assist in his first season isn't bad
yohdiklu
1
10 goals and 5 assists is not a BAD return at all considering it was his 1st season in EPL. There are only a handful of wingers who hit double digits in goals & assists. He should get that this season. Sancho on the other hand has been disappointing though.
Naycdknr
1
Antony is the next piano player (Sanchez) for Man Urinated.
pythagorasofficial
1
Pellistri played better than him. He should step up his game or else there’s a lot of threat right there for him to be on the bench.
ManUtdAmadDialo
1
He's the only signing of the Erik ten Hag era that i still find difficult to understand. I really hope that he'll prove his worth this season though, coz £85m is a lot of money Nd we really expect a lot from him
Aidenthom
0
Just leave the dude
coybdikmnu
2
they shouldn't criticize him, all these English pundits who criticised Maguire with 80m what of Sancho 75m this are England players nobody is talking about them rather they encourage them that they need time to adjust, how many goals did Sancho score at his first season at united, make them leave Antony alone please
wincdilprt
0
HAHAHAHAHAHA! ONLY KNOWS HOWS TO SHOW SKILLS 🤣🤣🤣
Gimps always appreciate other gimps
vekmpsuy
1
HAHAHAHAHAHA! ONLY KNOWS HOWS TO SHOW SKILLS 🤣🤣🤣
realBull
1
These players are good but lack consistency
KidRockz
4
Yes.. he's a good player.. but needs to be more a team player this season and fully focuses on the team play rather than showing his tricks with the ball.. He should take his chance this season..