Four Erik ten Hag decisions v Fulham show just how far Man Utd’s £86m star has fallen

As Manchester United moved into the ninth minute of added-on time against Fulham, Erik ten Hag made one final throw of the dice.

He introduced a figure maligned by fans, who has been criticised regularly by pundits, and is without a goal or assist in 20 Premier League appearances this season. That player cost United £86m.

In the week when Ten Hag insisted Ineos would not make transfer decisions without his say so, the frankly bewildering signing of Antony serves as an example of why Sir Jim Ratcliffe should look to exert a tighter grip on that aspect of his burgeoning control at Old Trafford.

It’s difficult to know which of Ten Hag’s four decisions in Saturday's 2-1 loss was more embarrassing for Antony: 1. Handing 19-year-old Omari Forson a first senior start ahead of the Brazilian, 2. Choosing to move midfielder Bruno Fernandes into the wide areas in the 53rd minute, 3. Selecting Amad to come off the bench in the 80th minute, 4. Finally calling on the out-of-favour winger in the 99th minute.

It’s safe to say Antony’s 24th birthday won’t be remembered among his favourites.

Saturday’s decisions are a damning indictment of how rapidly the ex-Ajax forward has slipped down Ten Hag’s pecking order. It’s less than six months since Jadon Sancho’s frustrations at what he perceived as his manager’s preferential treatment of Antony boiled over and partly led to that infamous social media post.

Even at the end of 2023, Antony was regularly being selected despite his unproductive performances. He started five consecutive games between 6-23 December, that included games against Chelsea, Bournemouth, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and West Ham United.

But Antony has not been chosen from the off in any of the last six league matches and has played three minutes across the previous four games. It’s a run that has seen United’s new-fangled front three of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Houlind and Marcus Rashford shine and, prior to Saturday’s loss to Fulham, the trio had provided 14 goals in seven league matches.

The numbers don’t make good reading for the second most expensive player in the club’s history and there is simply no denying that the Red Devils function better without Antony.

“He has to prove a point,” Ten Hag said, when asked about United's no.21 ahead of the Fulham game. “But he will do, and he has a big potential. He hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is. It is about proving his talent. It is about him.

“He will probably get his opportunities. But that was always the idea, you have competition. Now he has to show himself on the training pitch, but also others.”

Demonstrating that ability seems to be an issue at present for a player bereft of confidence and self-belief. It seems remarkable to think that his time at United began with goals in each of his first three Premier League matches, the only player to achieve such a feat for the club. Now, that will be a pub quiz question in years to come. But following that encouraging start to life in Manchester, Antony has managed just one goal in 42 league appearances.

As Ineos begin the search for ‘best-in-class’, Antony could become the first major casualty of the Ratcliffe era. Yet, he might still outlast the man who deemed him worth £86m.

Ten Hag didn’t exactly get a ringing endorsement from Ratcliffe during the week and the Dutchman admitted in Friday’s press conference that he will be judged harshly if United miss out on a Champions League place.

After Saturday's loss they now trail fourth-place Aston Villa by eight points, with momentum seemingly back in Unai Emery’s hands, just as United’s has stalled. That swing comes ahead of a crucial week with an FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest and the Manchester derby - two games United will face without a recognised left-back and striker, while Casemiro’s fresh injury will need to be assessed.

To say the season could unravel quickly may seem an overreaction to one defeat, especially given they’d won four league games prior to that, but United can count themselves somewhat fortunate to win each of those matches, and Saturday’s loss was the 10th in the league this season.

For now, all Ten Hag can do is try and get the best from the players at his disposal. Seeing some sort of return from Antony would be the ideal place to start.