Ten Hag Backs Antony To Find His Best Form

The £82m signing from Ajax Amsterdam last summer has largely struggled to impress during his time in England.

Antony has also suffered domestic abuse allegations this season and has one goal and one assist in 26 appearances across all competitions.

The Brazilian was only an 89th minute substitute as Manchester United lost 2-1 at home to Fulham over the weekend, with teenager Omari Forson preferred to start.

Speaking ahead of Manchester United's FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Ten Hag said: “Antony, I’ve backed him for a long time. I know his abilities, he has great abilities. When he plays how I know from the past, he’s unstoppable. No defender can stop him because he’s one of the quickest players in the first 10 yards.

“I’m sure, I’m confident he will do it in future. I know he’s resilient, he’s a character and he will fight back. I back him and now he has to wait for his chance. Once he’s there he has to take it.”

Asked if off-field issues had impacted Antony’s form, Ten Hag responded: “Not anymore but it definitely has had. Now he’s left this behind but for a moment in the season it had an impact on him, you could see in his performance in his, in his attitude, but now he’s back. It affected him and the process is still going, now he has to turn the point and to bring his big potential in again. Therefore you have to fight and there you have to give every day the maximum. I see in the training he’s doing and he will turn the corner.”