Erik ten Hag: Antony must earn right to play for Man United

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag reckons Antony must earn the right to find his place back in the playing XI. The Brazilian became the second most expensive transfer in United’s history after arriving from Ajax in an £82 million ($108.2m) deal in 2022.

However, Antony has currently gone down the pecking order as he has played only one minute in the ongoing season of the Premier League.

United will play the Carabao Cup third-round tie against League One side Barnsley on Tuesday but the Dutchman revealed Antony will only play if he deserves to play.

“We will see what the lineup [against Barnsley] will be,” Ten Hag said when asked whether Antony could be handed his first start of the season.

“We have training every day and the players have to earn the right. When the attitude is good and they show performances in training then they will play.”

United will have the services of defenders Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui after the trio was substituted in the second half against Southampton.

Meanwhile, Luke Shaw is currently out of action due to a calf injury and Ten Hag is not sure about the defender’s return.

“He is progressing well,” Ten Hag said.

“Of course, we have a plan in our head when he can be ready but you’re always dependent on how the progress will go and you can’t make a suggestion because there are so many factors. A plan can accelerate or slow down.”

United won the Carabao Cup under the tutelage of Ten Hag in his maiden season with the club. The Dutchman wants to take the clash against Barnsley seriously.

“The FA Cup, the Carabao Cup; they’re significant,” he said.

“I see the attention from all the teams, all the owners, all the managers, when they win the trophies. Like Liverpool last year. I see all the teams battling for it and we want the same.”