Micah Richards has heaped praise of struggling Manchester United star Antony after his ‘brilliant’ performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Antony came off the bench to score United’s second goal in their epic 4-3 win over their arch-rivals which has booked their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
It was just the second goal of the season for the Brazil international who has largely struggled since his £82million move from Ajax in 2022, and who was placed on a leave of absence by the club earlier this season to deal with allegations of domestic abuse.
There is much speculation that the 24-year-old will be binned off in the summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to make major changes to the playing squad, but for now at least he’s earned some admiration for his 87th minute strike that sent the match to extra-time.
Manchester City icon Richards was one of those to recognise his contribution, saying on The Rest is Football podcast: ‘I think it’s worth giving a shout to Antony because his time at Man United has not been great.
‘But to come on and make a difference, not just getting the goal but his work rate, body language and attitude, I thought it was brilliant.
‘It just shows you that it is in him. I think that’s why we get so frustrated with Man United at times because they’ve got the players, it’s just about that consistency.
‘If they can make Old Trafford back into a fortress again then they’ve got a chance of putting a run together between now and the end of the season.’
So far, Antony has recorded just 10 goals and four assists in 74 appearances for United and his awful form means he’s lost his place in Erik ten Hag’s team, starting just two games in 2024.
The winger is hopeful that his goal can be the springboard for a return to the form that convinced United to sign him, telling the club’s official website: ‘Personally, it was a very important moment for me, I needed that goal. At no point did I stop thinking about it and working.
‘It’s games like this that show our values and I believe this will motivate everyone for the season. We came together there and achieved an incredible turnaround.
‘I have also been training my right leg, to make it better and I have done my best to help in the defence, acting as a winger. It has been a period of a lot of learning. I try to learn from each criticism, understand where I can improve.
‘I have been working silently to evolve and show my football on the field. I know my potential and I know why Manchester United hired me. I want to repay all of this on the field.’
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