Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has hailed Antony‘s improvement but warned the Brazil winger not to let his passion for the game boil over after he lost his cool in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat away to Brighton.
United travel to West Ham on Sunday as they look to bounce back after conceding a 99th-minute penalty from Alexis Mac Allister that condemned them to a narrow defeat.
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It compounded a poor second-half performance for United and at times, it looked like their frustration was going to boil over. Antony picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge on Mac Allister, a late tackle that prompted a melee. It came at a time where the 23-year-old was looking increasingly more frustrated.
In a postmach news conference, while Ten Hag said he was impressed by Antony’s passion, he also issued a note of caution: “I think he is special. It [his passion] is his strength. Of course, there’s a certain level, you have to control it. You need passion, desire to win your games and to win medals, and I think he is very strong willed. He’s very ambitious.
“As I say, don’t go over the top. Stay focused on your game, and what the team needs and doing that he is a great player. His improvement is quite obvious.”
United are still four points ahead of Liverpool in fifth with a game in hand as they prepare to travel to David Moyes’ West Ham on Sunday. But with Jurgen Klopp’s team breathing down their necks, United will hope to get back to winning ways and solidify their spot in the top four.
