Erik ten Hag issues his sternest warning to Antony so far, Man Utd winger is now under serious pressure

Manchester United winger Antony is hoping for a chance in the Carabao Cup this week, after a slow start to the season.

Antony missed the 2023 FA Cup Final due to injury, when he likely would have started. In 2024 he simply was not selected.

This left him needed to reset and improve during pre-season – but Antony did not impress and had clearly been overtaken by Amad.

It has meant that in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Antony has played just one minute as substitute.

Erik ten Hag on Antony

Antony has a chance to play when Manchester United face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, the first midweek game of the season. Rotation is expected.

Erik ten Hag was asked about Antony during his pre-match press conference, and issued a stern warning.

Responding to a question about the former Ajax winger, he said: “We have every day training, and the players have to earn the right to play.

“When players do the right things in training, when the attitude is good, when they show performance in training, then they will earn the right to play.”

Amad is a bigger obstacle for Antony

Antony must clearly raise his own levels, which is tough when he is not playing regular football. Ten Hag wants a positive attitude, as a prerequisite.

Amid speculation linking him with a move away, Antony was determined to stay, showing he does want to fight for his place.

The bigger problem is the rise of Amad, who has become untouchable in United’s starting XI. The winger created six goalscoring chances in the win at Southampton, and adds more balance and unpredictability to United’s play than Antony’s one-footed approach.

Ten Hag’s comments put Antony under serious pressure, not just against Barnsley, but over the course of the coming season.

If he cannot force his way into the team, or at least become a more regular rotation player, then the future for Antony at Old Trafford does not look bright.

Adrien Rabiot transfer confirmed after mother set the record straight on Man Utd talks

Adrien Rabiot has been linked with Manchester United on more than one occasion in the past but the Frenchman is now on the verge of joining Marseille after leaving Juventus

Free agent Adrien Rabiot is on the verge of completing a move to Marseille after Premier League clubs failed to swoop for his signature.

The France midfielder, 29, left Juventus at the end of last season after seeing out his contract and has since been linked with a number of Europe’s elite throughout the summer, though said interest failed to advance into anything concrete.

Marseille have now confirmed that an agreement has been reached to bring Rabiot, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, back to France, with a deal expected to be concluded imminently.

While Rabiot is poised to continue his career in Ligue 1, he has been continuously linked with a move to England over the past 18 months. A number of teams have been credited with an interest in his services, including Manchester United.

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The Red Devils are thought to be long-term admirers of Rabiot, who was previously targeted during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure. He has also been linked with United since Erik ten Hag took the reins back in 2022.

Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, confirmed United were keen on bringing the midfielder to Old Trafford two years ago but denied that talks over a potential move were advanced.

She said previously: “All false. United wanted to meet me to illustrate their interest in Adrien, but we never talked about money in detail because he quickly decided to stay in Turin.”

There had been speculation in recent weeks that United could still move for Rabiot despite signing Manuel Ugarte from PSG on transfer deadline day. The player was also linked with a return to Juventus, though head coach Thiago Motta played down such talk.

Rabiot’s mother also confirmed that her son would not be rejoining Juventus, saying: “There is no need to close the door, returning to Juventus was not an option considered. When we make decisions, we take responsibility for them.”

Marseille have already confirmed that Rabiot’s move will become official pending a successful medical. They said in a statement over the weekend: “Olympique de Marseille announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with Adrien Rabiot for the arrival of the French international midfielder at the club.

“The player will sign with OM subject to the results of the medical examination.”

Mainoo Told He ‘Can’t Really Move’ After Latest Man Utd Win

Erik ten Hag’s decision to pair Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo in Manchester United’s midfield in their 3-0 win over Southampton raised eyebrows, with ESPN pundit Don Hutchinson labelling it ‘a massive risk’.

The duo shared the middle of the pitch for the first time since Man United’s 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace last season, and Hutchinson questioned Ten Hag’s decision, describing Eriksen and Mainoo as ‘two players who can’t really move’.

Deadline day arrival Manuel Ugarte made his debut on Saturday off the bench, despite some speculation that the Uruguayan international would start alongside Mainoo in midfield.

The 23-year-old was introduced in place of Eriksen in the 73rd minute and looked dynamic in his first match for the Red Devils, with Ten Hag suggesting Ugarte showed ‘what he could deliver’ to the team in a 20-minute cameo.

United eased pressure on the Dutch tactician with a comfortable three-goal win on Saturday, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and another summer signing contributing to the scoresheet.

Man United went into the recent international break on a low note after back-to-back Premier League losses but managed to put in a performance upon their return to action, climbing to 10th in the table.

Ten Hag Took Gambles Against Southampton

Opted for Eriksen and Mainoo in midfield

Hutchinson, speaking on ESPN, said Ten Hag ‘took a few gambles’ in the 3-0 win against Southampton, with Eriksen and Mainoo both starting. The pundit took a surprise swipe at fan-favourite Mainoo, suggesting that he ‘can’t move’.

“I thought he took a few gambles, to be honest. I’ve said it before about Kobbie Mainoo, he can’t cover the ground, so to pair him with Christian Eriksen, I thought that was a massive risk.

“Because you look at it, the profile of two players who can’t really move. I mean, technically, both of them very, very good, but they can get exposed.”

Eriksen was handed his first start of the season for United, replacing Casemiro, who was benched following his underwhelming performance in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break.

With less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, Eriksen is not expected to stay at Old Trafford beyond the season and had already explored a possible move away from United this summer.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the Red Devils have set their sights on reshaping their ageing midfield and will seek long-term replacements for both Eriksen and Casemiro, who together earn a combined £500,000 per week.

Christian Eriksen Man United Stats (2023/24 Premier League)

Games

22

Goals/assists

1 / 2

Pass accuracy

80.5%

Progressive passes per 90

5.36

Tackles per 90

1.42

Blocks per 90

1.34

Tyrell Malacia Set for Old Trafford Return

‘Progressing very well’

Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia could soon be back in first-team action, as Erik ten Hag revealed he anticipates the Dutchman’s return to full fitness ‘at short notice’.

Malacia, who did not feature for United last term, is expected to return to training soon, more than 12 months after his last appearance on the final day of the 2022/23 season.

The 25-year-old was one of Ten Hag’s first signings when he took charge in 2022.

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 16-09-24.

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