Erik ten Hag admits Antony "hasn't shown" his potential amid Man Utd struggles
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has admitted £85million signing Antony is not operating at the level he had expected.
The Brazil international arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 for a huge fee after Ten Hag lured him away from their former club Ajax. Hopes were high upon his arrival and expectations grew following a debut goal against Arsenal, but things have mostly been on the decline ever since.
Off-field issues haven't helped the winger, but on the pitch Antony simply hasn't contributed enough. In 19 league games so far this season, the 24-year-old is yet to register a single goal or assist. During his first campaign at the club, he managed just eight goals across all competitions.
Those struggles have clearly not evaded the attention of Ten Hag, who addressed Antony's poor form ahead of Saturday's meeting with Fulham at Old Trafford. The United boss told reporters: "He has to prove a point, that he will do. And he has big potential. He hasn't shown it lately, but I know what his talent is, and it's about proving his talent, and it's about him."
Ten Hag went on to explain that while Antony will continue to get chances to impress and justify his price tag, United can call upon alternative attackers that could mean a spell on the sidelines for the ex-Ajax star. The wide-forward has only completed 90 minutes in the league on one occasion this term.
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The United boss added: "And, yeah, he will probably get his opportunities, right? But, yeah, I think that was always the idea. You have competition, and now he has to show himself on the training pitch, but also others because we have opportunities there. With [Amad] Diallo returning from an injury, he's doing well in the training. Omari Forson is doing well. So we have options to fill in those positions. And it's not set that Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward."
HAVE YOUR SAY!Why has Antony struggled so much since joining Man Utd? Comment below
Antony has struggled to nail down a place in Erik ten Hag's starting lineup in 2023/24 (Marc Atkins)Antony has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks if Ten Hag's team selections are anything to go by. Of United's five league games so far this year, the winger has managed just 21 minutes and been left as an unused substitute against both Aston Villa and Luton. Antony has been named among the substitues for the visit of the Cottagers on Saturday. Young academy graduate Forson has been given his first senior start as part of the attacking line-up.
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