According to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Brazilian winger Antony has grown “impatient” due to his lack of playing time this season. Despite his hefty price tag as United’s second most expensive signing ever, Antony has found it challenging to secure a place in the starting lineup. His frustration comes after making just one appearance this season, as a late substitute in the 89th minute during United’s match against Brighton on August 25.
Antony was expected to feature in United’s 3-0 win over Southampton, but his chance was cut short when Matthijs De Ligt had to leave the match due to cramp, leading to Casemiro being subbed in instead. Last season, Antony played in 21 of United’s 52 matches, but his current form hasn’t convinced ten Hag to include him more regularly. Moreover, Antony was not a starter in any of the club’s five pre-season tournaments, further adding to his frustration.
Antony’s struggles are compounded by the impressive performances of his competition. Fellow wingers Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marcus Rashford have all registered goals this season, leaving Antony trailing in terms of impact. Ten Hag has not guaranteed Antony a starting spot for United’s upcoming third-round League Cup match against League One side Barnsley.
This uncertainty adds pressure on Antony, especially considering his status as the club’s second-highest transfer fee acquisition, after Paul Pogba. United secured the Brazilian winger for an initial fee of £81.3 million from Ajax during the 2022 transfer window, but Antony has only managed to score 11 goals in 83 appearances since then.
Amad, who joined Manchester United from Atalanta for £19 million shortly after Garnacho’s signing from Atletico Madrid in 2020, has been hailed as a promising talent. Both Amad and Garnacho have made significant strides in recent times, contributing to their team’s attacking play.
When asked about Antony’s struggles to compete with these younger wingers, Ten Hag responded by emphasizing the competitive nature of professional football. “This is high-level football,” Ten Hag said, explaining that players must fight for their positions and earn the right to be part of the starting XI based on chemistry and dynamism.
Ten Hag acknowledged the development of young talents like Garnacho and Amad, pointing out that they have grown with the team and are now important contributors. While Antony has found himself on the periphery, Ten Hag reassured that he has the ability to compete if he makes the right choices and performs well in training. The manager explained that the decision to leave Antony out is not personal, but rather a reflection of the strong performances from other players, such as Amad, Garnacho, and Rashford, all of whom have been delivering results on the pitch.
Ten Hag stressed that Antony needs to prove himself in training to win his place back in the team. He added, “Of course, he’s impatient. He wants to play, and he’s fighting to play.” However, with his fellow teammates performing so well, Antony faces an uphill battle to reclaim his spot in the squad. Nonetheless, Ten Hag remains confident that if Antony continues to work hard, he will eventually get his chance to shine again.
