Yahoo Sports ‘Impatient’ Man United star has to ‘earn the right’ to start games
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has told Antony that he has to ‘earn the right’ be a starter, but says the winger can ‘bounce back’ to win back his place in the lineup.
The Brazilian, signed from Ajax for an initial £80.6million in 2022, has made just one appearance for the Red Devils this season, coming off the bench late on in last month’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
The 24-year-old could feature for Man United in their third round League Cup meeting with Barnsley at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
“He is fighting, fighting for his position,” Ten Hag said of Antony in his pre-match press conference.
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“That’s what we expect from every player who is in the squad at Manchester United, what they should do.
“That is professional football, that is top football, those are the laws – you pick the team where you think you have the most chance to win a game, so the players have to fight for their positions, and you pick the XI who have the best dynamic and the best chemistry.
“Now he has to bounce back and he has the abilities to do it. So if he is doing the right thing, he can make competition with them (those who have been playing ahead of him).”
Amad Diallo has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign on the right wing, where Antony plays, while Alejandro Garnacho has been an effective impact substitute in the same position.
“I think the other players are doing so well, they’re contributing,” he said. “We have Amad (Diallo), Garna (Alejandro Garnacho) – very effective. (Marcus) Rashford scoring at the weekend.
“So he has to earn the right in training but the others are doing really well, so he has to get over them.”
Ten Hag added: “Of course he is impatient. He wants to play and he’s fighting to play.”
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