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Erik ten Hag says Antony must fight for his place in the Manchester United team.
Speaking ahead of today’s Carabo Cup clash against Barnsley, the manager was asked “It’s been a difficult start for Antony, played just a couple of minutes. How has his attitude been in training?”
Ten Hag shook his head a little as he responded (via ManUtd.com) “He is fighting. Fighting for his position. And that’s what we expect from every player who’s in the squad at Manchester United, what they should do.”
Asked if Antony’s price tag weighs heavily on him as he sees academy stars picked ahead of him, the manager replied:
“But that’s professional football, 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 the positions.
“You pick the eleven who have the best dynamic and the best chemistry.
Saying Antony is not being selected because others have the “best chemistry” is quite a harsh statement from the manager.
“There are two players developed, and we’re happy with that, from the academy, young players, into the squad, into the selection, and now he has to bounce back. He has the abilities to do it.
“So if he’s doing the right thing, he can make competition with them.”
Another reporter asked if the Brazilian is “some way off” where Ten Hag needs him to be.
“No. I think the other players are doing so well, they’re contributing, so we have Amad, Garna, very effective, Rashford scoring at the weekend …
“So he has to earn the right in training, but with the others doing really well, so he has to get over them.”
Asked if the player was unhappy about the situation, Ten Hag said:
“Of course, he is impatient. He wants to play. And he’s fighting to play.”
In the previous two seasons, Ten Hag took quite a lot of criticism for seemingly picking Antony ahead of other players, despite his poor form. Indeed, Jadon Sancho’s spat with the manager, that effectively ended his career at United, seemed to revolve around the player’s suggestion that the Brazilian was getting preferential treatment.
It will be interesting to see whether Antony does get a start, or at least some minutes off the bench, in tonight’s game.
Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 8pm.
Other topics covered in the press conference can be found here.
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