“The players have to earn the right to play” - Manchester United boss Ten Hag highlights what 24-year-old must do to return to the starting lineup

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has sent a clear message to Antony regarding his involvement in the first XI. He's told the Brazilian that he has to earn the right to play by being better in training.

The Red Devils signed Antony from Ajax in 2022 for a fee of €100 million, making him the club's second-most expensive player of all-time behind Paul Pogba. The 24-year-old has flattered to deceive every time he has taken to the field. He's registered just 11 goals and five assists in 83 games for the club.

The former Ajax manager has warned Antony to prove himself in training. He's asked him to show that he has the right to play instead of just expecting to be included because of the price tag.

In the pre-match press conference ahead of their Carabao Cup tie on Tuesday (September 17) against League One side Barnsley, Ten Hag sent the message. When asked if the Brazilian is set to make his first start of the season, the United manager said via Fabrizio Romano:

"We will see what the lineup [against Barnsley] will be. We have training every day and the players have to earn the right to play.

"When players are doing the right things in training, when the attitude is good and they show performance in training then they will earn the right to play," the Manchester United manager added.

This season, Antony has only featured once, as an 89th-minute substitute in Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. He finds himself behind youngsters Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho in the Dutchman's pecking order on the right wing.

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"The Carabao Cup is significant" - Manchester United boss Ten Hag

The underfire Manchester United manager would have fond memories of the tournament, having won it in his first season in charge at Old Trafford. The Red Devils ended a six-year trophy drought in the 2022-23 season when they beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the final at Wembley in February.

On the importance of the domestic cups, Ten Hag said:

"The FA Cup, the Carabao Cup. They're significant."

He spoke about the competition in the tournament and warned that all clubs would be playing to win.

"I see the attention from all the teams, all the owners, all the managers, when they win the trophies. Like Liverpool last year. I see all the teams battling for it and we want the same," the Dutchman said.

Erik ten Hag is looking to win the third trophy of his Manchester United career and build on the FA Cup he won last season.