Erik ten Hag has opened up on where he feels Antony will be best placed in his Manchester United side after the switch was officially confirmed.
The Brazilian international has now finally completed his mega-money move to Old Trafford after the deal was forced to await final confirmation over the last two days. United confirmed they have reached an agreement with Antony's former side Ajax over an £85million transfer that sees the winger become the most expensive export in Eredivisie history.
Where exactly Antony will slot into this Red Devils team, as well as whose place in the first team he is most likely to take, has been up for debate among both fans and pundits alike. Thankfully, boss Ten Hag has spoken publicly about where he feels the 22-year-old will be best deployed.
During their shared time together at the Amsterdam Arena, Ten Hag lined up with Antony on the right wing. United's current forward line has plenty of right-footed forwards who enjoy cutting in from the left, which means the club's latest signing could offer some much-needed balance to the attack.
Asked if he'd play Antony on the right prior to final confirmation of the move, Ten Hag replied: "If it happens – yes, it’s difficult to talk about a player we haven’t signed. We want to do it. He’s one with the right fighting spirit." Given the amount of money United forked out to bring him to the club, it is expected that Antony will start near enough every game.
In turn, there is now a natural competition for a starting spot between Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho - both of whom can and have operated on the opposite flank. Antony Martial has also played on the left, but it looks like Ten Hag views the Frenchman as a centre-forward option.
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While Antony's arrival likely means that one of Rashford and Sancho is to see their amount of game time reduced, Ten Hag is relishing the fact there is now plenty of competition for places within the United ranks.
"It’s good that there is competition," the United boss added. "I think it’s natural in a top club – this situation has to be there. You have to push players to the highest levels. I’m sure they are happy with it as well.
"We need players. You cannot cover all the games with the same players. You have to manage it. Who you need for certain games, to keep them fit and also to keep them in shape.
"Now we have that opportunity to choose and I’m lucky that we have that situation. We created that situation so well done, I would say."
