Ten Hag must decide who has the right stuff

AFTER completing the £72.9m signing of Jadon Sancho in July 2021, nobody would have expected United to invest such a huge amount of money in another right-winger just over 12 months later.

- GEORGE SMITH

But following Erik ten Hag's appointment as manager, it was always a certainty that he would want to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited.

After raiding former club Ajax for centre-back Lisandro Martinez at the end of July, Ten Hag tapped into his old squad again just over a month later, bringing Antony to Old Trafford for an eye-watering £85.5m fee.

The Brazilian was Ten Hag's top target throughout the summer to strengthen the Reds' right-wing options and add a left-footed presence to that side of the pitch. United paid over the odds for the 23-yearold and that has been reflected in his performances so far this season.

Although he has established himself as Ten Hag's first-choice rightwinger, he has struggled to so far justify such an astronomical fee. He has struggled for consistency and has scored just seven goals and grabbed one assist in 30 appearances. Nevertheless, he is still only 23 and is adapting to a new league, a new club and a completely different way of life. Ten Hag has taken him under his wing and will persevere with him. If anything, Antony is a project for the United boss.