Erik ten Hag praises Just two Man United players after winning against Lens

Erik ten Hag believes Antony is getting closer to displaying his full qualities for Manchester United following another strong performance against Lens.

The £85 million winger set up Marcus Rashford’s equalizer against the Ligue 1 side before scoring the game’s second goal in a 3-1 pre-season victory.

It comes after Antony’s goal against Borussia Dortmund last weekend, and the Brazilian appears to be in a good mood ahead of his second season at Old Trafford, having shown flashes of quality only occasionally in his first year.

Ten Hag was eager to reunite with his former Ajax winger last summer, and he was thrilled with his performance against Lens as part of a dynamic front three that included Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

“For Rashy, of course, a typical Rashy goal I would say, how we come out of the back from a defender and then the finishing, a great assist from Antony, I’m very pleased with his performance, he’s improving,” Ten Hag told MUTV.

“With Garna, I think that second goal is a brilliant goal, the movement, the dribble from Garna, then inside the movement and timing from Rashford, it opens up and it’s a great pass from Garna and a first touch and finish [from Antony].”

United trailed Lens at halftime, thanks to Florian Sotoca’s 45-yard lob of Andre Onana, but they had looked menacing in the first half and punished their Ligue 1 opponents after the interval.

“Once you win the ball against them, it’s very open, and then we have Antony, Rashford, Garnacho, who are all very quick, very direct, and they could all score a goal,” Ten Hag remarked.

“With the overload in possession, you can create chances against Lens, who played very bravely, but you have to punish them, and I believe we did eventually.”

“We have players on the field who can win games, and we’re not even talking about Mason Mount or Bruno, who can make a pass or score a goal.”