Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd forward handed brutal reality check, with unstoppable teammate named Ten Hag’s real hero

Man Utd forwards Marcus Rashford and Antony

A Man Utd forward “hasn’t proven anything yet” and has been branded “just a good player” by a former Tottenham favourite who is yet to see the type of decisive moments like Marcus Rashford is providing.

The Red Devils are intent on ending their trophy drought that stretches all the way back to 2017. The League Cup and Europa League constitute Manchester United’s last major honours upon being lifted in the 2016/17 campaign.

Under Erik ten Hag, United have blazed a trail through the domestic cups and are already on the cusp of returning to Wembley.

They hold a commanding three-goal advantage in the EFL Cup semi-finals, while they’ve safely booked passage into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

One player who has been integral to everything United have done well of late is Marcus Rashford.

The 25-year-old has been on a tear since the World Cup, scoring 10 and assisting three in just 11 matches.

At the other end of the spectrum, €100m signing Antony has contributed just five goals and a solitary assist in his first 21 matches for the club.

Antony has come in for criticism for being too much style and not enough substance at times. He infamously came under the glare of United legend Paul Scholes after deploying his signature ‘Antony spin’.

A new observer has now attempted to chop Antony’s ego down to size – ex-Tottenham attacker, Rafael Van der Vaart.

The 109-times capped Netherlands international acknowledged Antony is a “great talent”, though insisted Antony appears to think he’s better than he actually is.

Furthermore, Van der Vaart – who is well known for being an outspoken pundit since hanging up his boots – claimed that until Antony starts deciding matches “like Marcus Rashford is now”, he should keep the fancy stuff under wraps.

Antony collects another high profile doubter

“Do you know what it is with Antony… He is of course a great talent and a great player, but he shouldn’t believe in himself very much,” said Van der Vaart (via the Manchester Evening News).

“He’s just a good player who hasn’t proven anything yet.”

“I do like a show, but only when I can. Of course you have to have that feeling.

“He has played some good Champions League games, he’s come in reasonably well with the Brazil national team a few times, he’s made a big move and hasn’t done much at Manchester United yet.”

“He shouldn’t think: ‘I’ve made it and I’m going to show it to the whole world by doing crazy things’. No, he has to decide games, like Marcus Rashford is doing now.

“Then you can do something crazy for once. But he has to be very humble, try really hard and shoot or pass those balls in.”

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