Ruben Amorim makes Man Utd promise to Antony if £86m man meets target

Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim has vowed to restore Antony’s confidence and bring back his old Ajax form if the Brazilian winger is willing to put in the hard work.

The Red Devils shelled out a whopping £86m for Antony in September 2022, and it has become one of most questionable signings in Premier League history considering his performances.

This season, plagued by injuries, he has only managed to score once – in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley – and hasn’t found the back of the net in the Premier League since April 2023.

Amorim, who witnessed Antony’s abilities first-hand when his Sporting Lisbon team conceded nine goals in two matches against Erik ten Hag’s Ajax in the 2021-22 Champions League, believes he can help the player regain that form.

Despite Marcus Rashford being dropped, Alejandro Garnacho benched, and Mason Mount injured, Antony failed to prove his worth with a lacklustre display in the defeat against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. The team’s performance improved only after Amorim made a triple substitution at the 55-minute mark, bringing on Amad Diallo to replace the winger.

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

Mount, who joined the club in July 2023 for a hefty £55m, will been sidelined for “several weeks” due to a muscle injury. Amorim, expressing his frustration over Mount’s latest setback and United’s packed fixture schedule, said: “What I can do is to help Mase, to teach him how to play our game when he is recovering.

“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.”

Garnacho was recalled to the squad to face Tottenham while Rashford remained at home. When asked if the England star is available to face Bournemouth, the Old Trafford boss confirmed: Yes, of course. It is the same thing guys. Totally the same thing.”

Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth last season and were beaten 2-3 by Nottingham Forest in their most recent match at Old Trafford.

Amorim reflected on the Nottingham game, saying: “Yeah it was really hard the Nottingham game. To lose that game in the way we lost. I am always looking forward to hearing that song and playing with our fans and to try and put some happiness in their lives.”