PAUL SCHOLES has performed a remarkable U-turn on “clown” Antony and now says the Brazilian has the potential to be a “huge player” for Manchester United.
The winger, 23, moved to Old Trafford from Ajax last summer after boss Erik ten Hag made the same switch but has struggled to hit top gear despite a few bright sparks.
United legend Scholes has been one of Antony’s biggest critics, however, the ex-England ace has now changed his tune following the star’s recent displays.
Speaking on BT Sport this week, Scholes said: “It took some convincing from me, especially after the start of the season, but I think since that Everton game at home [on April 8] he has become a different player.
“I felt he became a bit predictable, always coming in on his left foot and he needed to add different dimensions to his game and I think in the Everton game he did that.
“He started to run in behind Ben Godfrey, he did it two or three times and was clean through on goal but didn’t quite get the goal.
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“He started to beat people on the outside and now his confidence is there and he’s starting to look like the player we all expected.”
Antony, who will be hoping to start for United in today’s FA Cup semi-final with Brighton, scored and produced an assist in last week’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest to take his goal contributions to 14 for the season.
And after previously hitting out at his tricks, Scholes has now stated that nobody will have any complaints over the “silly” stuff if he continues to produce the goods.
He added: “He’s still going to do his silly stuff but we don’t mind that if he’s producing stuff like this, producing goals and a pass for Dalot.
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“He needs more of those goals, he needs to get himself in the box and he will score a lot of goals in this team in the next couple of years.
“He’s 22 years of age, Brazilian lad, has come from a different country. It was going to take him a bit of time to settle in but now – ok, we’re coming to the end of the season – but in the next couple of years he could be a huge player for this club.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
