Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has challenged Antony to maintain his form after a positive performance in the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea.

Antony joined Man Utd from Ajax in 2022 for approximately £85.5m (€100m) but has largely failed to produce the showings such a high transfer often demands.

However, following a string of impactful appearances off the United bench – including scoring an equaliser in the recent FA Cup victory against Liverpool – the winger was rewarded with his first league start of 2024 on Thursday at a raucous Stamford Bridge.

Antony conceded a penalty early on but responded by delivering a superb assist for Alejandro Garnacho’s second goal after half-time. Though the Red Devils ultimately succumbed to a 4-3 defeat, the Brazilian’s performance during the clash against Mauricio Pochettino’s men was a notable positive.

As United gear up to host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, Ten Hag discussed Antony’s performance against Chelsea in a club Q&A, emphasising it reached the level of performance he hopes to see more consistently.

He said: “I know he’s capable of it. I’ve seen it so often, when I was manager of Ajax, but we haven’t seen this.

“Maybe in the start [of Antony’s United career] we’ve seen a glimpse, in the first three games when he scored three goals, but after that, [only] incidentally, like against Barcelona last season when he scored the winning goal, but he’s capable of it.

“Yesterday night, I saw the Antony I want to see.”

Antony produced four assists and two assists in his debut Premier League season in 2022/23 but it took until his 24th appearance this term to register his first goal contribution.