As stated by the Mirror, Brazilian winger Antony displayed a remarkable second-half performance, contributing to Manchester United’s 3-1 comeback victory over RC Lens in a friendly match at Old Trafford on Saturday.
During the opening half, the Red Devils struggled and found themselves trailing 1-0 after an exceptional goal by Florian Sotoca.
After a lacklustre first half, United quickly turned things around in the second half, scoring three goals before the hour mark.
Antony stood out as one of the standout performers during the match. He provided an excellent assist for Marcus Rashford’s equalizer and also scored a goal himself.
Goal – ANTONY
Man United 2-1 Lens (53 mins) pic.twitter.com/8rWNSQqUM6
— WORLD OF FOOTBALL ⚽️ (@worldofootball_) August 5, 2023
Beyond his contributions in front of goal, the Brazilian star displayed his passing prowess by completing 33 out of 40 passes. Additionally, he won four out of nine duels contested, showcasing his all-around abilities on the pitch.
Throughout the pre-season campaign, the 23-year-old has displayed a mix of performances. While he missed some clear-cut scoring opportunities against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, he also made crucial goal contributions.
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He scored an equalizer against Dortmund, although the team ultimately suffered a 3-2 defeat. In the recent match against Lens, Antony proved pivotal in the turnaround from a 0-1 deficit to a 3-1 victory, contributing with a goal and an assist.
While it’s positive to see him finding form, there is a need for consistency right from the start of matches rather than only shining in the second half.
If Antony can maintain consistent performances throughout the upcoming season, he has the potential to become a game-changer for Man United.
With one more friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, manager Erik ten Hag might opt to make some changes considering the short turnaround time.
United’s Premier League campaign begins on August 14 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
