Ruben Amorim keen on finding old Ajax Antony by rebuilding Brazilian’s confidence

Ruben Amorim aims to restore the confidence of Antony, hoping to rekindle the form that made the Brazilian winger so effective at Ajax – but only if Antony is willing to put in the “hard work.”

Manchester United paid £86million for Antony in September 2022, a deal that many consider one of the worst value-for-money signings in Premier League history.

This season, plagued by injury, Antony has scored only once – in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley – and has not found the back of the net in the Premier League since April 2023.

Amorim, who witnessed Antony’s best performances when his Sporting Lisbon side faced Erik ten Hag’s Ajax in the 2021-22 Champions League, believes he can help the winger rediscover that level of play.

However, with Marcus Rashford dropped, Alejandro Garnacho on the bench, and Mason Mount sidelined, an ineffective Antony started in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham.

Manchester United only showed improvement after Amorim made a triple substitution in the 55th minute, with Amad Diallo replacing the former Ajax forward.

“He needs more confidence,” insisted the Portuguese manager.

“If you remember the Antony that played in Ajax, he lacks a little bit of confidence to go one against one, but he will improve.

“He is working really hard and trying and playing more inside than outside, especially in this game.

“He just has to do that. To work really hard and I will help him to be a better player.”

Mason Mount has also struggled to justify his £55m price tag since joining Manchester United in July 2023.

The midfielder is now sidelined for “several weeks” with a muscle injury, further complicating his adaptation to the team.

Ruben Amorim expressed frustration, noting that Mount’s latest setback, combined with United’s congested fixture schedule, will hinder his integration into the squad.

“What I can do is to help Mase, to teach him how to play our game when he is recovering,” he said.

“Try to use that time for him to think about different things.

“I think the worst part is that we don’t have time to train like we should do when you are recovering for a lot of injuries.

“It is really hard for the player to be out for so long and he’s trying really hard.

“The same as Antony. If they try really hard, we will help them until the end.”

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