"Last season was not good" - Erik ten Hag believes 24-year-old star has the 'potential' to play for Manchester United
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that Brazilian winger Antony had a poor 2023-24 season. However, the Dutchman has refused to give up on the 24-year-old who was signed for an exorbitant fee in the summer of 2022.
Expectations were huge from Antony given the kind of fee he commanded when Manchester United signed him from Ajax in 2022. The Red Devils splashed an initial £82 million for his signature with a further £4.27 million in add-ons. He became the club's third most expensive signing of all time.
It was none other than Erik ten Hag who signed the Brazil international at Old Trafford having also managed him at Ajax. However, Antony has been a major disappointment at Old Trafford thus far.
Ten Hag has admitted that the wingers had a difficult season last time out but insisted that he still believes in the Brazilian. He further insisted that Manchester United did not overpay for the winger. The Dutch manager told AD Sportwereld, as quoted by Goal:
"I don’t go over the budget. I’ve never even had a budget. At United, the budgets lie with the owners and management.
"He [Antony] certainly showed that potential in the first month: he scored three times in his first three games. After that it became more difficult, last season was not good. But I am still convinced that he has the potential to play at this club."
Antony has made 82 appearances for Manchester United to date, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists. He managed just three goals and two assists in 38 appearances across competitions last season.
Erik ten Hag makes a big claim regarding his achievements at Manchester United
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed only Pep Guardiola has been superior to him in English football since he took the job at Old Trafford. Since being appointed the Red Devils' manager in 2022, the club has won two trophies (1 FA Cup and 1 League Cup).
While defending his record at the club, Ten Hag claimed that only Pep Guardiola has outperformed him in English football since his arrival. He said, as quoted by The Sunday Times:
"Of course [I feel stronger]. Before my arrival, this club did not win trophies for six years. In two years, behind Guardiola, we won the most trophies in English football, we are therefore in a position of strength."
Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford came under immense speculation following a disappointing season last time out. His side finished their lowest-ever eighth in the Premier League but won the FA Cup, beating rivals Manchester City in the final.
The Dutchman, however, enjoyed a solid debut season at Manchester United as his side finished third. They also won the League Cup and finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.