Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag gives tough treatment to Antony despite dazzling in Reading win

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admits he wants to see more from Antony after the Brazil international starred in his side’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth round victory over Reading on Saturday night. The player created Casemiro’s first goal of the night as the midfielder bagged a brace, with Fred putting the game to bed midway through the second half.

“I think he is strong,” Ten Hag told ITV after being quizzed about Antony in the aftermath of the showdown. “We want him also to be more dynamic, more variable and more direct. And you see today it was a lovely pass on the first goal and it was a good Brazilian combination [with] Antony and Casemiro.

“So we are happy with his improvement in this moment but I feel there is more to come and I think he’s capable of it. There is big potential in him and he has to develop it every day.”

United were in imperious form at Old Trafford against their Championship opponents as Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst all had opportunities to break the deadlock. Antony was guilty of being profligate in front of goal as he saw four curling efforts drift wide of the post in the first half. And when the Red Devils did put the ball in the back of the net through Marcus Rashford, the effort was ruled out for offside.

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The Royals couldn’t hold on after the break, however, as Antony threaded a pass through to Casemiro, who scooped the ball over Joe Lumley and into the back nine minutes into the second period. And the Brazil international found the back of the net once again four minutes alter as he lashed a ling-range effort into the corner of the goal.

Andy Carroll was then sent off for the visitors before Fred put the game to bed with a clever flick from close range. Reading at least tried to get back into the encounter, with Amadou Mbengue heading home with 18 minutes to go. But the goal proved nothing more than a consolation as the Red Devils secured their safe passage into the FA Cup fifth round.

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“They made it difficult, they are a decent team,” Ten Hag said of Reading as he reflected on the fourth round clash. “They were compact but we still made a lot of chances. We scored and were unlucky as it was disallowed but then in the second half we scored the goals, great goals, the Brazilian connection.”

And the Dutchman added: “We are here for trophies but we have a long way to go. We’re building.”