Though Antony is Manchester United’s second most costly player, Erik ten Hag claims that the “law” he must fight against the academy products Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho will help him to reclaim his spot.
Antony has underwhelmed with eleven goals and five assists in 83 games after signing for £86m in summer 2022. Ten Hag has only one right-winger this season, an 89th-minute substitute in the 2-1 loss at Brighton last month.
Knowing how costly Antony was and that two native players were ahead of him, the manager dismissed how challenging it must be for him.
Ten Hag added, “That is professional football, that is top football.” “Those are the guidelines. You choose the squad you believe has the best probability of winning a game. The guys had to compete for their spots. You choose the XI with ideal dynamic and chemistry.
“We are pleased with that: two academy graduates Diallo and Garnacho became members of the team, the selection. He now has to bounce back and possess the means to do so. He can compete with them if he is acting morally.
“He is battling for his place. Every player in the Manchester United team should act in line with this expectation. The other players are performing really nicely. We have Garna, Amad, quite brilliant. Marcus Rashford had a 3-0 Southampton weekend score. He has to go past them.
Ten Hag was asked whether Antony might start; United visit Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. You will see what the lineup will be, he remarked.
Every day, we have training; the players must earn the right. The attitude is good; so, they will play if they exhibit performance in training.
Ten Hag reported on Luke Shaw, a hamstring injury recovery patient. “He is progressing well; we have a plan in our head when he can be ready but you’re always dependent on how the progress will go.”
Injuries also make Rasmus Højlund, Victor Lindelöf, and Mason Mount unavailable.
