Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United’s £86million winger Antony that he has to earn the right to play in his team.

Ten Hag admits the Brazil star is ‘impatient’ after making just one appearance this season as an 89th-minute substitute at Brighton.

Antony, 24, is hoping for his first start against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford tonight (tues), but Ten Hag said: ‘We have training every day and the players have to earn the right to play.

‘That is professional football, that is top football. Those are the laws. The players have to fight for their positions. You pick the XI who have the best dynamic, the best chemistry.

‘Of course he’s impatient. He wants to play and he’s fighting to play.

Erik ten Hag has told Man United winger Antony (left) that he must earn the right to play

Antony will be hoping to get his first start this season in the Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley

The Man United boss (pictured) urged Antony to ‘bounce back’ and regain his place in the team

‘He is fighting for his position. That’s what we expect from every player in the squad at Manchester United, what they should do.’

Antony has endured a desperately disappointing career at United since following Ten Hag to Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022, becoming the second most expensive player in the club’s history.

The United boss has chosen academy stars Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo ahead of him on the right wing this season, adding: ‘The others are doing really well and he has to get over them. We have Amad and Garna, very effective. Marcus Rashford scored at the weekend.

‘Now he has to bounce back and he has the abilities to do it. If he is doing the right thing, he can make competition with them.’

Ten Hag won the Carabao Cup in his first season at Old Trafford and dismissed suggestions that new co-owners Ineos will have their sights set on greater prizes.

‘I wouldn’t say it’s insignificant,’ added the Dutchman. ‘The FA Cup and Carabao Cup, they’re significant. I see the attention from all the teams, all the owners, all the managers.

‘When they win the trophies like Liverpool last year, and I see all the teams battling for it, we want the same. In football, to win trophies it’s very important. You have five opportunities and our aim is to win all the games if possible.’

The United boss has chosen academy stars Alejandro Garnacho (left) and Amad Diallo (right) ahead of Antony

Antony, the second most expensive player in the club’s history, has endured a desperately disappointing career at United since following Ten Hag to Old Trafford in 2022

Ten Hag added that Antony was still ‘fighting for his position’ but has only featured in one league match so far this season

Antony signed for £86m two years ago but has been criticised for his performances since joining United.

Last season, he scored just three goals – including one against League Two side Newport County in the FA Cup – and made two assists in 38 appearances in all competitions.

The 24-year-old has also endured a turbulent time off the pitch after he was accused of domestic abuse by three women last year, but he was not arrested or charged in either Brazil or the UK and he denied the allegations.

A Brazilian police investigation into the allegations concluded last month without any charges being brought, but prosecutors could still look into the claims.

Antony’s lawyers said in a statement: ‘The defence of player Antony Matheus dos Santos, in light of the news published by the press this Tuesday (20 August 2024), hereby confirms that the police investigation opened at the fifth Women’s Defense Precinct of Sao Paulo, of the Civil Police, was closed without any police indictment.

Antony and partner Rosilene Silva got engaged on holiday in Italy during the international break

‘The defence has always believed that the investigations, that run under confidentiality, would prove Antony’s innocence.’

Antony and his girlfriend Rosilene Silva had reason to celebrate during the international break as they announced their engagement via Instagram.

Antony and his childhood sweetheart – who have known each other since their school years in Sao Paulo – uploaded a joint post featuring three photographs.

One of the pictures showed the 24-year-old footballer proposing on bent knee. Another featured Antony kissing his bride-to-be on her cheek.