Michael Owen has claimed that Manchester United winger Antony doesn’t have the quality to thrive in the Premier League despite his talents.
The Brazil international joined United on the recommendation of Ten Hag over two years ago in a £85million move from Ajax but has failed to live up to expectations.
Antony scored his first goal of the season in the 7-0 EFL Cup thrashing over Barnsley last week but has been afforded just one minute of playing time so far in the league this season.
United boss Erik ten Hag has insisted that the 24-year-old needed to ‘earn the right’ to play for the club but Owen fears that the winger will never be able to live up to his lofty price tag.
‘I haven’t seen enough positive play from Antony since he’s been there to warrant him starting every game for Manchester United,’ the former United striker told Metro.co.uk.
‘He’s obviously a very talented boy and they’ve paid a load of money for him so they’ll be absolutely desperate to get a tune out of him and to get him happy and playing.
‘I just don’t see his attributes being that suitable to the Premier League. I don’t think he’s quick enough. When he does a trick, I don’t think he’s got that burst and that speed to get away from a defender.’
Antony was linked with a loan exit in the closing stages of the summer transfer window but turned down a move to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
However, Owen believes that a fresh start may be in the best interests of the Brazilian if he is to rediscover the form that saw him burst through at Ajax.
‘He might be exceptional in a different team, but this current Manchester United team, granted, it’s very hard for any player to really shine, as we’ve seen with recent buys over the last five, or 10 years,’ Owen continued.
‘But if he started in a game next week, I wouldn’t be thinking, right I’m really excited to see.
‘I think I’ve seen enough to think that it might be a struggle for him, but whether that’s a change of manager, a change of team, a change of something will spark something else again. That’s for the future.’
Manchester United, who are 11th in the Premier League after five games, face Europa League rivals FC Twente on Wednesday night before hosting Tottenham next weekend.
Michael Owen was speaking to Metro.co.uk on behalf of AceOdds.