Roy Keane has delivered his verdict on Manchester United winger Antony following Sunday’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
The Brazil international registered a goal and assist at the City Ground as Erik ten Hag’s side moved up to third in the Premier League table.
It was the first top-flight goal Antony had scored since October and marked his first assist in the Premier League since his £85m arrival from Ajax in the summer.
Across his opening 35 games for United in all competitions, the 23-year-old has eight goals and two assists.
‘It’s vital to get those types of goals,’ Keane told Sky Sports. ‘We’ve been critical and he’s got to get in there a little but more and have that hunger and desire.
‘As skilful as he is, these are important moments. To get on the end of it and get a tap in, it’s a big moment for him.
‘We saw the brilliance of him for the second goal, but doing the basics like following shots, players have got to do that because these are big moments.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, meanwhile, feels Antony needs to replicate Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah.
‘He needs to score more goals,’ Hasselbaink said. ‘Today, it was important he was getting [the goal] at 1-0, not 4-0. He also needs to create more goals as well.
‘When Liverpool won the league, Salah scored 30 goals. That is where he needs to get to.’
United boss Erik ten Hag thinks that Antony is ‘making progress’ at Old Trafford.
‘We need more goal scorers and I’m happy with Antony,’ the Dutchman said. ‘He scored a goal, gave an assist.
‘His start in the game wasn’t that good. I think twice he had to make another choice to bring the ball to Christian Eriksen in a cutback.
‘But after he came into the game and he was continually a threat for the opponent.
‘He’s definitely making progress. Against Everton he created many chances and misses and so I’m happy for him today he scored.
‘He had another one, if Aaron Wan-Bissaka was not blocking the shot!’
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