Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam urges Antony to ‘step up a gear’ after underwhelming debut Premier League season

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has called on Antony to improve after a disappointing debut season in the Premier league. 

The Brazilian winger joined the Red Devils from Ajax for £85.5million last summer but failed to live up to high expectations. 

Stam believes Antony has the skill set to be a success at Old Trafford but needs to ‘step up a gear’ and become less predictable in the upcoming new season.  

Speaking to United’s official site, the 51-year-old said: ‘You know Antony’s got quality, of course, on the ball. 

‘He’s got decent pace, even if he’s not lightning. He needs to become, and I know we were talking about being predictable in a way of playing, then he needs to step up a gear to make a change.

Antony failed to live up to expectations last season after making an £85.5m move from Ajax

Former United defender Jaap Stam has urged the Brazilian to become less predictable 

‘As a winger, you always need to be very decisive. You need to take initiative on the ball. You need to go forward. You need to take on your one-v-ones and you need to make it difficult for your opposition by, one time, going inside and, the other time, going outside.

‘Of course, that’s the thing that I think he still needs to do a little bit more,’ said Stam. ‘But we know him from Holland as well. We know his ability and his quality. And I think he can step up, you know, one or two gears.

‘So he needs to show that this season. He had last season as well to get adjusted to the league and to get adjusted to the opposition he’s facing as well.

‘So it is going to be exciting to see how he’s going to be changing his game next season.’

Despite his hefty price tag, Antony found the net just eight times  and provided three assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for United last season.

Antony came under huge cristicsm last season but will hope to improve in the new campaign 

He came under huge criticism from former United players for attempting several tricks, notably his trademark 720-degree spin during United’s 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol last October. 

United club legend, Paul Scholes, ripped into the forward after the game: ‘Does that do anything for anybody? Does that do anything for himself? I’d have to ask him – even at 4-0 up what does that do for you?’ 

Despite his poor goal tally, Antony helped guide United to the Carabao Cup last term as well as a place in the Champions League. 

Ten Hag’s side will open their Premier League campaign in a fortnight when they host Wolves.