‘He hasn’t shown it’… Erik ten Hag admits 24-year-old Manchester United star hasn’t performed this season

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag has admitted one of his big signings and has not performed this season.

Manchester United had a difficult start to Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge but appear to have turned a corner lately.

United have won six of their seven games so far in 2024 and have not yet lost in the new year.

However, a new spate of injuries has made the squad vulnerable with Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund the latest players to join the casualty list.

The in-form striker’s injury has left United particularly lacking up-front, with Anthony Martial also sidelined.

That leaves Antony as the only other senior forward available to Ten Hag ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Fulham.

The Dutchman says he can rely on the 24-year-old but admits he hasn’t been at his best lately.

Erik ten Hag on Antony’s performances

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said when asked if he could trust Antony: “Yes, absolutely.

“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.

“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 so it’s not set that Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward.”

Antony can’t start

Antony may be the only senior forward available and he may have cost an obscene amount of money but he still shouldn’t start against Fulham.

The Brazilian is bang out of form but even if he wasn’t, his inclusion would disrupt the harmony that has been built in the attack.

United have enjoyed success with Alejandro Garnacho on the right and Marcus Rashford on the left, to move either of them when there’s no need would be foolish.

Instead, it would make more sense to play a wildcard option at the spearhead of the attack.

Whether that’s a youngster in Omari Forson or Amad Diallo or a midfielder like Scott McTominay pushing up, it is a better option than disrupting something that is working just to shoehorn Antony in.