Erik ten Hag’s dramatic U-Turn on Manchester United star clear after 5-game trend

Erik ten Hag’s dramatic U-Turn on one Manchester United star has become clear after a five-game trend.

The Reds won 1-0 against Fulham in their opening Premier League clash of the season this weekend.

Erik ten Hag’s substitutes made the difference in the game as Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee combined to score the only goal of the match.

Garnacho, 20, once again came into the game on the right wing, replacing Amad Diallo. Meanwhile, Antony remained on the bench.

In 82 appearances for United, the Brazilian winger has only managed to score eight goals, leading to criticism of his lack of pace and end product.

Last term, he netted just once in the Premier League despite regular chances under Ten Hag throughout the campaign.

His performances after an £85 million move from Ajax have been vastly disappointing, and while Ten Hag has previously protected the winger, his patience seems to have finally been broken.

With both Garnacho and Amad showing great promise on the right wing, the United manager has appeared to slowly phase Antony out of the equation.

The 24-year-old has played zero minutes in any of United’s last five competitive games. He was an unused substitute in the two Wembley clashes with Manchester City and failed to appear against Newcastle and Brighton at the end of last term.

Ten Hag recently admitted that Antony’s displays last term were ‘not good’, although the manager still believes that the player can perform at Old Trafford.

“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.”

 Yet it finally appears that the Dutch coach no longer consistently trusts Antony. In order for him to return to the side, there will either have to be major injuries or a positive impact from the bench when an opportunity comes his way.

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