Revealed: Why Erik ten Hag prefers to start €50m star in key position - The Athletic
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has preferred to pick Antony on the right wing for the club due to a couple of reasons, according to The Athletic.
The Brazil international joined the club from Ajax in the summer of 2022. He has been a regular starter on the right wing despite his inconsistent form.
Antony has started back-to-back games since the international break and it is now revealed why Ten Hag has persisted with the 23-year-old in the XI.
As per The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, the manager has preferred Antony because the Brazilian follows instructions and wants to play in the position.
This has apparently caused the general unhappiness for Jadon Sancho who has struggled to find a replace in the side under the Red Devils boss.
As things stand, Sancho is suspended for his outburst towards the manager last month.
Ten Hag wants a private apology from the winger and United would thereafter publicise the apology. Sancho would still need to work hard to get his place back.
Antony needs to pay back the manager for his trust
It is quite evident that Ten Hag has a preference for Antony on the right flank. Facundo Pellistri is considered as a back-up option behind the Brazilian star.
The former Sao Paulo man started his Premier League career with three goals from as many games, but he has netted just once over the 28 league appearances.
The €50 million-rated star has not performed to the expectations thus far but he has plenty of time on his hands to turnaround his career and become a key contributor in the final third.
Sancho is justified to feel frustrated with the manager’s preference, but he made the wrong decision to criticise him after being left out of the matchday squad versus Arsenal.
With him showing no remorse for his mistake, a January exit could be a realistic solution. The likes of Juventus and Borussia Dortmund could make loan proposals for him.
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