Erik ten Hag sends warning to Antony over his ‘attitude’ ahead of Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley amid the £86m Man United star’s lack of game time this season after falling down the pecking order 🗣🗣

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made it clear to Antony, the club’s £86 million signing, that he must earn his place in the team. Despite Antony’s eagerness and frustration, having only appeared as a late substitute this season against Brighton, Ten Hag stressed that the Brazilian winger needs to demonstrate his worth through consistent effort in training.

Antony, 24, is hopeful for a start in tonight’s Carabao Cup match at Old Trafford against Barnsley. However, Ten Hag emphasized, “In professional football, players must compete for their positions. We train daily, and players have to show that they deserve to be in the starting lineup by contributing to team chemistry and performance.”

Recognizing Antony’s impatience, Ten Hag acknowledged the winger’s determination, saying, “He’s fighting for his spot, which is exactly what we expect from every player. Competition is key at this level.”

Antony’s journey at United since his high-profile transfer from Ajax in 2022 has been challenging. He remains the club’s second most expensive signing. However, this season, Ten Hag has favored youngsters Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo on the right wing, explaining, “The others have been performing well. Amad and Garnacho have been effective, and Marcus Rashford even scored last weekend. Antony needs to step up, but he’s capable of competing at their level if he performs.”

Ten Hag, who led United to a Carabao Cup victory in his first season, dismissed claims that the new co-owners, Ineos, might be solely focused on bigger trophies. He remarked, “The FA Cup and Carabao Cup are significant. Winning trophies is what matters in football. Every team, including Liverpool, competes for them, and we aim to win as many as we can. These competitions are important.”

Since his arrival at Old Trafford, Antony has faced criticism, having managed just three goals last season, including one against lower-tier Newport County in the FA Cup, and providing two assists across 38 appearances in all competitions.

Off the pitch, Antony has faced personal challenges. Last year, three women accused him of domestic abuse, though no formal charges were filed in either Brazil or the UK, and he has consistently denied the allegations. A Brazilian police investigation has now concluded without charges, but the case could still be revisited by prosecutors.

Antony’s legal team released a statement confirming the closure of the investigation, stating, “The São Paulo Civil Police have ended their investigation without any charges. We were always confident that the evidence would clear Antony’s name.”

During the international break, Antony celebrated his engagement to girlfriend Rosilene Silva, sharing the news on Instagram with a series of photos, including a proposal and a kiss.