Man Utd star Antony faces grim reality as Erik ten Hag decision speaks volumes

It felt like Manchester United left their shooting boots back at Old Trafford after being left frustrated with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

But the one player who didn’t get his chance in front of goal was forgotten man Antony, despite impressing only days ago. United claimed a 7-0 win over Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, where the Brazilian grabbed a morale-boosting goal.

Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen each scored two goals apiece, while Antony scored from the penalty spot in the resounding win.

Antony was handed a start against Barnsley in what was only his second appearance of the season and first start. The Brazilian had previously only been used as a last-minute substitute in the defeat to Brighton last month before the game against the League One side.

He made an impression too, winning a penalty in the 35th minute and the winger made no mistake in converting from the spot after Rashford gave him the ball. Ten Hag praised the move to help the 24-year-old gain some confidence, underlining their team spirit.

“They also give assists and they give each other the opportunity to score a goal like the pen’ when Antony needs some confidence. Then Rashy gives the pen’ to Antony, which is good in a team, which they are, they are together.”

But when it comes to building Antony’s confidence, Ten Hag is not exactly living by his own rules. Despite making only three changes against Crystal Palace, Antony was left as an an unused substitute on the bench.

Ten Hag had pre-empted such a discussion only days ago when he was asked why Amad Diallo had been benched, explaining it was due to squad rotation.

“There will be rotation and the conclusion from all of you is not right when I pick 11 that I drop a player,” Ten Hag said. “I pick a starting XI because I know I have to rotate. We have more than 11 players who can be in the line-up of any match in this moment.”

There is no doubt the winger is lacking confidence, and the statistics do not lie; he has scored just 12 goals in 84 appearances for the Red Devils since his £85million move from Ajax.

But if Ten Hag’s objective is to build his confidence, surely handing Antony a few minutes from the bench at Selhurst Park – when chasing a goal to win the game – is the perfect way to do that.

Instead, he was left out in the cold once again as Garnacho, Rashford and Bruno Fernandes all struggled to hit the target. Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund were unable to find the back of the net as well.

Speculation was rife that Antony was set to move to Turkey in the summer transfer window, but he remained at Old Trafford determined to fight for a place in Ten Hag’s starting line-up. But with every game that he is left out, that decision becomes harder to justify.