Erik ten Hag has stated that despite Antony being Manchester United’s second most expensive player it is the “law” that he has to fight against the academy products Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho to regain his place.
Since signing for £86m in summer 2022 Antony has disappointed, with 11 goals and five assists in 83 appearances. This season Ten Hag has fielded the right-winger once, as an 89th-minute replacement in the 2-1 defeat at Brighton last month.
The manager shrugged off how it must be difficult for Antony knowing how expensive he was and that two homegrown players are ahead of him.
“That is professional football, that is top football,” Ten Hag said. “Those are the laws. You pick the team that you think has the most chance to win a game. The players have to fight for their positions. You pick the XI who have the best dynamic, the best chemistry.
“We are happy with that: two players [Diallo and Garnacho] developed from the academy into the team, into the selection. Now he has to bounce back and he has the abilities to do it. If he is doing the right thing, he can compete with them.
“He is fighting for his position. That’s what we expect from every player in the squad at Manchester United, what they should do. The other players are doing so well. We have Amad, Garna – very effective. [Marcus] Rashford scored at the weekend [a 3-0 win at Southampton]. He has to get over them.”
United host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and Ten Hag was asked whether Antony could start. “You will see what the lineup will be,” he said.
“We have training every day and the players have to earn the right. When the attitude is good and [they] show performance in training then they will play.”
Ten Hag gave an update on Luke Shaw, who is recovering from a hamstring problem. “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.”
Rasmus Højlund, Victor Lindelöf and Mason Mount are also unavailable because of injury.
