Erik ten Hag has conveyed a clear message to Antony following the winger’s brief appearance in Manchester United’s recent loss to Fulham.
United faced a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Fulham at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
After Calvin Bassey gave Fulham the lead in the second half, Harry Maguire’s equalizer appeared to salvage a draw for United. However, Alex Iwobi’s late goal in injury time secured victory for Fulham, leaving the hosts stunned.
Despite Antony’s hefty £82 million transfer fee from Ajax in 2022, his recent performances have fallen short of expectations, resulting in his benching as Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford received more playing time on the wings.
When Iwobi scored for Fulham in the 97th minute, Ten Hag substituted Antony for Victor Lindelof in the 99th minute. However, Antony’s time on the pitch was brief, lasting only 40 seconds before the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, Ten Hag provided straightforward reasons for Antony’s limited playing time. He stated, “It was not a fitness issue. He is fit, but we have many options on the right side while lacking depth in other positions due to injuries.
Antony needs to step up, as we’ve all seen his potential in training. However, other players like Omari Forson, Amad Diallo, and Garnacho also deserve opportunities.”
Ten Hag acknowledged the challenges posed by Fulham’s influence on United’s left side but praised the team’s resilience and ability to respond.
The coach emphasized that United should have won the game and highlighted the need for better performance from the outset. Despite slow starts in both halves, he commended the team’s character and determination.
The future of Antony at United remains uncertain, with speculation about a potential sale in the upcoming transfer window to bolster the club’s finances.
