Adrian Clarke picks out key battles between players and teams going head-to-head in Matchweek 33.
Player analysis - Antony (Man Utd)
Coming into form, Antony will need to assume extra responsibility in Manchester United’s key match at Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
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A valuable win would put further daylight between fourth-placed Man Utd and Spurs, two places behind in sixth.
To claim all three points, United must improve on their wretched away record against their immediate rivals this season.
Erik ten Hag's side have lost all five of their matches at the current top seven, while they have beaten only one opponent above 14th away from Old Trafford this season, courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho's injury-time winner at Fulham.
With Bruno Fernandes an injury doubt, Ten Hag will need summer signing Antony to step up his creative output.
Facing a shell-shocked Spurs, who could still be reeling from their 6-1 humbling at Newcastle United, the Brazilian can be an influential figure.
Antony's shot/pass chalkboard v Forest
The former Ajax winger was in scintillating form in Man Utd's last Premier League match, a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Hugging the right flank, he was always looking to slip infield and pass to a team-mate inside the penalty area.
Antony’s assist for Diogo Dalot showed his talent, skipping past a couple of players before sliding the defender in behind with a perfectly weighted pass.
Antony's assist v Forest
Things you love to see 😍🔥
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 16, 2023
📽️ @DalotDiogo #MUFC || #NFOMUN pic.twitter.com/X97iXRrvKQ
From one of his seven shots at the City Ground, Antony also scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season, bundling home a rebound at the far post.
Spurs' new interim head coach Ryan Mason will likely revert to a 3-4-2-1 formation for this match.
Based on Antony’s threat, he may opt for Ben Davies at left wing-back ahead of the more attack-minded Ivan Perisic, in a bid to shackle United’s wide man.
Mason's selection in that role will give us an indication of his confidence ahead of kick-off.
Time for another run?
After netting in each of his first three Premier League appearances, Antony went on a barren 17-match run without scoring or producing an assist in top-flight action.
It will have been a relief for the 23-year-old to make direct contributions for both goals at Forest.
Antony attempts more shots than any of his team-mates, averaging 3.47 per 90 minutes.
With that in mind he should have netted more than four times. Over half of those efforts have been from outside the box, usually with his left foot, but a 7.55 per cent conversion rate leaves room for improvement.
Shots/conversion rates 2022/23
| Most shots/90 | Conversion rate (inc. blocks) | ||
| Nunez (LIV) | 4.79 | 11.11% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitrovic (FUL) | 4.26 | 12.79% | |
| Felix (CHE) | 4.07 | 5.56% | |
| Haaland (MCI) | 3.87 | 33.33% | |
| Jesus (ARS) | 3.75 | 13.85% | |
| Kane (TOT) | 3.61 | 20.87% | |
| Antony (MUN) | 3.47 | 7.55% | |
Ten Hag will also be hoping for better creativity from Antony between now and the end of the season.
Without Fernandes they must find alternative sources of imagination, and the winger has the ability to at least double his average of 1.05 chances created in open play per 90 minutes.
Man Utd's top creators 2022/23
| Player | Chances created open play/90 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 2.45 |
|---|---|
| Jadon Sancho | 2.10 |
| Fred | 1.95 |
| Diogo Dalot | 1.46 |
| Casemiro | 1.13 |
| Antony | 1.05 |
His sublime assist last time out showed what he is capable of, and if they afford him time and space, Spurs could suffer a similar fate.
