Pundit slams Man Utd man and would swap him for one former star ‘any day of the week’

Gabby Agbonlahor saw Man Utd winger Antony “take himself on” during their 1-0 win over Brentford and claims he has “zero assists because of the way he plays”.

The Brazilian signed for the Red Devils in the summer transfer window for around £85m from Eredivisie side Ajax but he has so far failed to live up to his price tag.

Some of his seven goals this season have been spectacular but there are concerns that the Man Utd winger has yet to register an assist in 32 matches in all competitions.

Antony put in another average display as which put Erik ten Hag’s men back in the top four.

And former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor criticised the Brazil international for his performances this season and would prefer to see former Man Utd winger Antonio Valencia return.

Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT: “When I watch Antony I look at his stats for starters. He’s played 16 Premier League games, three goals and zero assists.

“He’s got zero assists because of the way he plays. I’ve watched him all season, I watched him last night against Brentford and he gets the ball and knows he can’t beat the full-back on the outside, so he pretends to go on the outside, goes inside and gives it away.

“If you’re a striker then you’re frustrated. Andy Cole came out and said that if he was a striker in the team he’d be so frustrated because you’re not going to get chances.

“I would swap him, any day of the week, for Antonio Valencia.

“His first season at Manchester United he got seven goals and 13 assists. The season after, six goals and 16 assists, then he went to right-back.

“That’s a winger who used to get the ball, a little step-over, pace and power and clip it in. Strikers knew when it was coming in.

“Antony gets it and does his little tricks. Yesterday, there was one incident where he took himself on – he didn’t take the defender on, he took himself on!

“He takes the ball, does a little shimmy and the defender is just stood there, like ‘go on then, take me on’.”

“The only thing you could say is that he’s still early in his career at Manchester United – you’d hope there’s improvement in him.

“Manchester United need to get more from them and I also think they need to get more from the other side from Sancho.

“I don’t think they’re getting enough in those areas.