Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United star growing 'impatient' for first-team opportunities following training caution

Erik ten Hag acknowledges that Antony is becoming 'impatient' due to his limited opportunities in the first team, with the winger currently ranked as the fifth choice at Manchester United.

The Brazil international has managed just one minute of game time this season, appearing as a late substitute in the defeat to Brighton in August.  

Since joining United from Ajax in an £85million deal in 2022 – making him the club’s second most expensive signing of all time after Paul Pogba – the winger has contributed 10 goals and five assists during his time in Manchester.

Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford have been ten Hag’s preferred first-choice wide options so far this season with Alejandro Garnacho being eased back into the side after a busy Copa America campaign with Argentina in the summer.

All three have been on the score sheet so far this season with ten Hag warning Antony must ‘earn the right’ to play in training.

While the Brazilian is frustrated with his lack of chances, ten Hag was not able to guarantee he will start when United take on Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

‘That is professional football, that is top football,’ ten Hag said. ‘Those are the laws. You pick the team that you think has the most chance to win a game.

‘The players have to fight for their positions. You pick the XI who have the best dynamic, the best chemistry. There are two and we are happy with that.’

Garnacho joined United’s academy as a 16-year-old in 2020 while Amad arrived for an initial fee of £19million from Atalanta – showing his huge promise during an impressive spell on loan at Sunderland and in spells back at Old Trafford last season.

Both stand in Antony’s way with ten Hag urging Antony to give him a difficult decision to make.

‘Two players developed from [when they were youngsters] into the team, into the selection. Now he [Antony] has to bounce back and he has the abilities to do it,’ ten Hag said.

‘If he is doing the right thing, he can make competition with them.

‘The other players are doing so well, they’re contributing. We have Amad, Garna – very effective. Rashford scoring at the weekend.

‘So he has to earn the right in training but the others are doing really well. He has to get over them. Of course he’s impatient. He wants to play and he’s fighting to play.’