Erik ten Hag ‘gave £86m transfer flop Antony dressing room hairdryer treatment TWICE after Man Utd clashes’
ERIK TEN HAG ripped into Antony TWICE after he disobeyed him last season, according to reports.
Manchester United paid £86million for the Brazilian winger in 2022, yet a return of just 11 goals and five assists in 82 games have left many wanting more from him.
GettyErik ten Hag is said to have ripped into Antony twice after he disobeyed him[/caption]
AFPAntony has struggled since joining Man Utd in 2022[/caption]
AFPTen Hag is said to be ‘deeply disappointed’ at Antony not working out[/caption]
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That list seemingly includes Ten Hag, who has reportedly grown deeply disappointed with the signing not working out.
This has seen the Dutchman scold the former Ajax star at times, both for poor performances and poor discipline.
According to The Athletic, Antony, 24, twice showed disobedience to Ten Hag’s orders in games this season.
The first came in the 4-3 FA Cup victory against Liverpool when he was told to play left-back during the closing stages of the match.
He made an exploding head motion following the tactical tweak, while he also repeated the motion after being moved to left-back during the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal two months later.
Ten Hag, 54, is said to have ripped into Antony after the game, telling him in no uncertain terms he had to play where he was told as Man Utd tried to wrestle results from the games in their favour.
This hardline approach is said to have come down to Ten Hag feeling that explaining his approach would have undermined his authority in front of a group that requires strong leadership.
The report explains how Ten Hag could have been left at the “slaughter” of the players if he had showed any weakness.
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Brutal criticism of Antony was also forthcoming from Ten Hag following a poor game off the bench in the 2-0 win against Everton.
This hairdryer treatment is said to have left Antony “visibly affected”.
Ten Hag has continued to back Antony publicly despite his poor return.
He previously told reporters: “On Antony, I backed him for a long time. I know his abilities. I know from the past he is unstoppable. He’s one of the quickest in the first 10 yards.
Inside Jadon Sancho’s training bust-up with Ten Hag
A FRESH report has claimed to have revealed how the row between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho ignited in a training ground bust-up.
The 24-year-old returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January following an explosive exit from Manchester United.
The future of the winger remains up-in-the-air after he excelled in helping the Germans to reach the Champions League final.
They would love to keep him, but they are unable to afford him.
And after Ten Hag was finally confirmed to be staying on as United manager this week, it seems that he is unlikely to have a route back to Old Trafford.
Now the start of the bust-up between the Dutchman and Sancho has allegedly been revealed.
And it all erupted in a big argument at the club’s training HQ.
The Athletic says: “Ten Hag’s disappointment with Sancho over his application came to a head during a training session before the Arsenal game in September.
“Sancho did not commit to pressing as an ‘opposition’ player in the practice match in the way Ten Hag wanted.
“Sancho was offered the chance to end his involvement early, which he took by walking off the pitch.”
“He is resilient, he’s a character and he will fight back and I back him and he now has to wait for his chance and, once he is there, he has to pick up.”
However, the report also explained how Antony was only purchased late on in the window by the Red Devils after Jadon Sancho had told Ten Hag his preference was to play on the left rather than the right.
SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
It has been reported club bosses are prepared to sell Antony this summer.
Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is secure after a two-week review led by Ineos chiefs Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford concluded he was the best coach to lead the club forward.
Now entering his third summer in charge, Ten Hag has made 16 signings over his first two years in Manchester.
Ineos have taken the mantle when it comes to transfer operations this summer.
And they have already agreed terms with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but have seen a £43m bid turned down as the Toffees demand £70m.
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Chelsea have agreed the £42m transfer of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, according to reports.
Italian giants Juventus are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Bayern Munich are eyeing up a summer move for Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, according to reports.
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