Antony has scored just five goals for Man Utd so far (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes Antony needs more time to develop but understands why fans are disappointed with him.

Antony followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford last summer in a deal worth £84million, making him United’s second most expensive signing of all-time behind Paul Pogba.

And after the winger scored on his debut in the 3-1 win against Arsenal it seemed like money well spent, but since then the Brazil international hasn’t hit the heights that many hoped he would.

So far, he has scored just five goals in 17 games and while United have been enjoying a fantastic run of form of late, it has been Marcus Rashford who has been getting the plaudits.

Of course this is Antony’s first season at a new club but already there are some who are not convinced the 22-year-old is the real deal.

Parker admits he too has been left underwhelmed by the winger but still backs him to come good, telling Soccernews: ‘Antony has done okay for Man United.

‘He hasn’t been amazing but he is also young and needs to adapt to the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag was very keen to sign his former Ajax star Antony (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

‘But honestly, I think that the vast majority of the fans have been disappointed by him. They expected a different kind of player. They expected him to be very quick and run past defenders but he hasn’t really done that.’

‘I personally think that he is thinking too slow and he seems very immature on the pitch. He needs to beat people more and believe in himself because he has the abilities to be a very good winger for Man United.’

At Ajax, Antony scored 24 goals and made 22 assists in 82 games, winning two Eredivisie titles and the Dutch Cup.

Following the Manchester derby win last Saturday, United have closed the gap to Arsenal to just nine points ahead of a clash at the Emirates this Sunday.

Before then, Red Devils fans will be hoping to see Antony at his best when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night.

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‘I think the vast majority of fans have been disappointed by him.’