Erik ten Hag urges Antony to ‘earn the right’ to start for Manchester United | Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has said that even though Antony is Manchester United’s second most expensive player, it is the “law” that he will have to fight academy products Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho to win back his place.

Since signing for £86m in the summer of 2022, Antony has disappointed, with 11 goals and five assists in 83 appearances. This season, Ten Hag has featured the right winger once, as an 89th-minute substitute in the 2-1 defeat at Brighton last month.

The manager played down the fact that it must be difficult for Antony knowing how expensive he was and that two local players were ahead of him.

“That’s professional football, that’s top-level football,” Ten Hag said. “Those are the laws. You pick the team that you think has the best chance of winning a game. Players have to fight for their place. You pick the eleven that has the best dynamic, the best chemistry.

“We are happy with that: two players (Diallo and Garnacho) have gone from the academy to the team, to the national team. Now he has to bounce back and he has the ability to do it. If he does what he has to do, he can compete with them.”

“He’s fighting for his place. That’s what we expect from every player in the Manchester United team, what they should do. The other players are very good. We’ve got Amad, Garna – very effective. (Marcus) Rashford scored at the weekend (3-0 win at Southampton). He’s got to get past them.”

Manchester United host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and Ten Hag was asked about the possibility of Antony starting. “You’ll see what the team is like,” he said.

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

Ten Hag gave an update on Luke Shaw, who is recovering from a hamstring problem. “He is progressing well. We have a plan in mind to get him ready, but we are always dependent on how the progress goes.”

Rasmus Højlund, Victor Lindelöf and Mason Mount are also unavailable due to injuries.