Antony is finally delivering on what Manchester United wanted from him

When Erik ten Hag has discussed Antony there is a word he has often come back to. "He's a fighter," he said when convincing Manchester United to pay £85million for him last summer. He used the same phrase a month ago when the questions around the winger were at their most vociferous.

Soon after that comment, the Brazilian was finally dropped, a course of action that had looked unavoidable for weeks, even if Ten Hag was desperate to make the signing work. His desire to return to what he knows best to strengthen his United squad is under the spotlight, but he needed the sums spent on Antony to add up.

He missed three games after being taken out of the team and replaced with Alejandro Garnacho, but when he returned in Istanbul last week he produced a much-improved performance. He then offered far more than Marcus Rashford when replacing him for the final half-hour at Newcastle and deservedly took the academy graduate's place in the side against Chelsea.

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This was another step forward for the 23-year-old in terms of producing more consistently. He was a threat to the Chelsea defence, winning the early penalty that Bruno Fernandes skied. Even then, Antony waved his arms to keep the crowd going. He might not have matched the performance of Garnacho, but for once this season, both wingers looked dangerous.

Even a simple gesture such as Antony's to the Old Trafford crowd showed the difference between himself and Rashford at the moment. Rashford's recent performances have been notable for their lack of energy. His confidence looks shot to pieces and he has almost retreated within