Erik ten Hag believes the partnership of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho on the left wing is proving dangerous for Manchester United.
01.09.2022 - 06:29 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Antony will play on the right-hand side for Manchester United once his transfer is finalised.
United have agreed an £85.51million fee with Ajax to make the Brazilian their second-most expensive player after Paul Pogba.
Antony, 22, scored 20 goals in two seasons while playing under Ten Hag for Ajax, where he primarily operated from the right wing.
Also read: Why United spent so much late in the transfer window
The left-footer will balance out a lopsided United attack which is teeming with right-footed forwards who excel from the left.
"If it happens – yes," Ten Hag confirmed when asked if Antony would play on the right. "It’s difficult to talk about a player we haven’t signed. We want to do it. He’s one with the right fighting spirit."
With Antony a near-certainty to start due to the exorbitant fee United have paid for him, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are expected to compete for the place on the left wing.
Anthony Martial, who has flourished from the left in his United career, played as a centre forward in pre-season and in the second-half against Liverpool but sustained an Achilles injury last week that could sideline him for at least two weeks.
Sancho and Rashford were both dropped from the England squad last term and it seems highly unlikely the pair will get fulfilling playing time to force their way back into Gareth Southgate's squad.
"It’s good that there is competition," Ten Hag added. "I think it’s natural in a top club – this situation has to be there. You have to push players to the highest levels. I’m sure they are happy with it as well.
"We need players. You cannot cover all the games with the same players. You have to manage it. Who you need for certain games, to keep them fit and also to keep them in
Erik ten Hag believes the partnership of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho on the left wing is proving dangerous for Manchester United.
It was obvious from the opening embers of the 4-0 pre-season win over Liverpool in Thailand that Diogo Dalot was going to play a big role for Erik ten Hag this season.
Rio Ferdinand has praised the new culture that Erik ten Hag has brought to Manchester United following the victory over Arsenal on Sunday.
Former Liverpool player Graeme Souness has suggested that Manchester United supporters will not stand by Erik ten Hag's 'pragmatic' style for long.
Former Manchester United duo Roy Keane and Gary Neville believe the Reds' transformation in fortunes has been triggered by Erik ten Hag forcing his players to run in sweltering conditions in the aftermath of their 4-0 defeat to Brentford last month.
Erik ten Hag believes Bruno Fernandes is benefitting from Christian Eriksen's presence in the Manchester United midfield this season.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag felt Cristiano Ronaldo's introduction gave them more flexibility in attack as they inflicted a first defeat of the season on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Gary Neville has praised Erik ten Hag, claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo should have to accept a new role under the new manager at the club in the wake of four successive substitute appearances.
Erik ten Hag believes Antony can fix the missing link in the Manchester United attack after his stunning debut in the 3-1 win against Arsenal.
Manchester United will reflect on a satisfactory transfer window, after the signings of Antony and Martin Dubravka late in the summer transfer period gave Erik ten Hag what he wanted.
United to make decision on Antony vs Arsenal
Eight Manchester United academy graduates departed the club in the summer transfer window, some temporarily and others permanently.
Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Wednesday, August 31
Graham Potter would be a better manager than Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, according to a former England striker.
Erik ten Hag has named an unchanged Manchester United team for Southampton because he wanted to show trust in the players that started against Liverpool.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained his decision to start Casemiro on the bench vs Southampton.
Erik ten Hag is aware that his start as Manchester United boss has been unacceptable and he has now identified when he feels the team's downturn started.
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff need to have "honest conversations" with Marcus Rashford in an attempt to get to the root of his ongoing struggles.