Erik ten Hag praises Antony and namechecks two teammates after Manchester United win against Lens

Erik ten Hag believes Antony is getting closer to showing his true qualities for Manchester United after he gave another improved performance in the victory against Lens.

The £85million winger set up Marcus Rashford's equaliser against the Ligue 1 side before scoring the second in the 3-1 pre-season success.

It follows Antony's goal against Borussia Dortmund last weekend and the Brazilian looks in confident mood ahead of his second season at the club, having shown flashes of quality only sporadically in his first year at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag was desperate to be reunited with his former Ajax winger last summer and he was pleased with his performance against Lens, as part of a vibrant front three with Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

United player ratings vs Lens

"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 the timing from Rashford, it opens up and it’s a great pass from Garna and a first touch and finish [from Antony]."

United went in at half-time behind against Lens, with Florian Sotoca lobbing Andre Onana from 45 yards, but they had looked dangerous in the first half and punished their Ligue 1 opponents after the break.

"Once you win the ball against them it’s very open, then we have Antony, Rashford, Garnacho, very quick, very direct, they could all score a goal," said Ten Hag.

"With the overload in possession you can create chances against Lens, who played very brave but you have to punish them, and I think