Erik ten Hag was not entirely full of praise for Antony’s performance in Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Real Betis on Thursday night, despite the winger scoring a memorable goal in the second half.
Marcus Rashford scored early for the home side at Old Trafford before Leicester City loanee Ayoze Perez levelled things up for the Spaniards in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 tie.
Antony curled in a stunning effort to put United back ahead, before Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst made it a comfortable 4-1 win for Ten Hag’s side.
It was a beautiful effort from the former Ajax man as he pulled off his trademark trick of cutting in from the right and curling a left-footed effort into the far top corner.
Ten Hag does not think it was a perfect performance though, far from it, with the United manager not impressed by the 23-year-old’s first half display, although it was vastly improved after the break.
Antony has not been in the best form in the Premier League, and Ten Hag was asked if the Brazilian could only do it in the Europa League, but the Dutchman was not having that suggestion.
‘I don’t think he can only do it in Europa League because he scored in his first three games in Premier League,’ said the United boss.
‘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.’
Ten Hag did have unreserved praise for another of his players, thoroughly impressed by the performance of Fernandes.
‘I think he was the best player on pitch,’ said the manager. ‘He showed his personality. He played a bit of a deeper role and i think he did it brilliantly.
‘I think he was the leader and making the game from the back, with a lot of good passes in between the lines and from there on we create a lot of chances.’
Six things we learned as Manchester United beat Real Betis 4-1
Manchester United are back to winning ways with a victory over Real Betis in the Europa League last 16 first leg. Here is a look at six things we learned…
Ten Hag backs his players – and has found his best right-back
The big talking point before kick-off was Erik ten Hag naming an unchanged starting line-up from the side which was hammered at the weekend.
He knew he would have 11 highly motivated players in his side, and did not want to single out one or two to scapegoat by leaving them out.
His players responded with an energetic start with some impressive attacking football on show and an early goal – before giving up the lead to go in 1-1 at half-time.
This was when Ten Hag’s patience began to waver. Diogo Dalot was substituted for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who many had expected to start the game.
United looked better once Wan-Bissaka came on. He gave United more defensive authority, and linked up with the attack well too.
Wan-Bissaka has struck up a good connection with Antony recently and this combination was key in the second half revival. United appear better when he is in the team right now.
Rashford leads the way as Weghorst finally scores at Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United a sixth minute lead with an emphatic finish. Pouncing on a loose ball inside the box, he rolled it into space, before unleashing a powerful effort into the roof of the net.
It was a great way to start the game against a manager who frustrated Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams twice with Villarreal in the early 2000s with 0-0 draws.
Rashford’s goal set United on the way, and took out his frustration on Betis after a really tough past few days. It was his 26th goal of the season.
This was a night where United needed their leaders to step up, and Rashford obliged, with captain Bruno Fernandes playing a key role in creating the opener.
The problem for United was a failure to capitalise on this great start. A second goal would have been crucial but United were too wasteful, Wout Weghorst in particular. This led to an inevitable Real Betis equaliser midway through the first half.
Weghorst did not give up. In the 83rd minute he finally scored at Old Trafford. This was his fifth shot of the night, and the emotion on his face was clear to see.
Bruno Fernandes responds with a captain’s header
Bruno Fernandes has taken horrendous stick in the media over the past week. While criticism of his performance at the weekend was justified, some of the views expressed by pundits descended into downright abuse.
Credit to Fernandes for responding with a captain’s performance. In addition to creating chances for his teammates, he grabbed a goal of his own to put United 3-1 up.
Fernandes’ header was one which any captain would have been proud of, powering in a corner from Luke Shaw. He looked overjoyed to get on the scoresheet, like a cloud had been lifted.
His teammates gathered around him to celebrate, showing their support for the midfielder, while the fans at Old Trafford cheered him on.
David de Gea is a problem
David de Gea‘s distribution was terrible in this game and almost gifted Real Betis a goal just before half-time.
His contract is up in the summer and it is the perfect time to move on and bring in a new first team goalkeeper.
It does not matter how many wonder saves he might make, his all round game is deeply flawed and invites pressure.
Erik ten Hag has to be ruthless and replace the long serving goalkeeper. It’s time to try a different approach. Along with a new striker, this has to be a top priority in the next transfer window.
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Antony stunner send message to his critics
Antony is becoming an Arjen Robben like figure. You know what he is going to do, he is going to cut inside and shoot. If a defender forgets to show him down the line, they can pay the price.
The Brazilian took advantage in the second half when Betis’ left-back showed him inside. Antony obliged, curling the ball into the top corner.
It was a perfectly timed goal to restore United’s lead just after half-time, just as frustration was beginning to build, and chatter was flowing among fans over whether Antony should be substituted.
This was Antony’s seventh goal of the season. Only Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes have netted more.
He should really have scored a couple more afterwards too, but he was a threat all night and this was a good way to respond.
Give Facundo Pellistri more minutes
Facundo Pellistri was making just his fifth appearance for Manchester United when he replaced Antony in the 82nd minute.
A minute later he created Manchester United’s fourth goal. He received the ball in a tricky position, with a corner fired low into him.
Pellistri controlled it well, before deciding to take on his man, get to the byline and put in a cross, leading to Weghorst’s goal.
With very few minutes, Pellistri does a lot, and the young Uruguayan deserves more minutes to show what he can do.
Advantage Manchester United
The second leg in Spain looks less daunting with Manchester United halfway to the quarter-finals.
This is a very healthy lead for United to take to Betis, and Erik ten Hag will be confident his side will get the job done in a professional manner next week.
A comfortable second leg has a positive knock-on effect for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham, at Old Trafford days afterwards.
It was also crucial that Casemiro managed to avoid a booking in this game, and will not serve a suspension.
