Antony is becoming “impatient” over his lack of playing time at Manchester United, according to manager Erik ten Hag.

The 24-year-old’s only appearance this season was as an 89th-minute substitute at Brighton on August 25. Antony was due to come on in United’s 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday but Matthijs de Ligt had to come off due to cramp and Casemiro emerged instead.

Antony started in 21 of United’s 52 matches last term and the Brazil international did not line up in any of their five pre-season tour games. Fellow wingers Amad, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford have all got on the scoresheet this season and Ten Hag could not guarantee Antony would start against League One Barnsley in the League Cup third round on Tuesday evening.

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

Antony is United’s second-most expensive signing after Paul Pogba. The club bought the Brazilian for an up-front fee of £81.3million from Ajax on transfer deadline day in 2022 but Antony has contributed a meagre 11 goals in 83 appearances.

Garnacho was an academy addition from Atletico Madrid in 2020 while Amad was regarded as potential when he arrived from Atalanta for an initial fee of £19m weeks later.

“That is professional football, that is top football,” Ten Hag replied when asked if it was difficult for Antony to play behind two younger wingers. “Those are the laws. You pick the team that you think has the most chance to win a game.

“The players have to fight for their positions. You pick the XI who have the best dynamic, the best chemistry. There are two and we are happy with that.

“Two players developed from [when they were youngsters] into the team, into the selection. 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 clarified the form of Antony’s competitors accounted for his peripheral status. “The other players are doing so well, they’re contributing. We have Amad, Garna – very effective. Rashford scoring at the weekend.

“So he has to earn the right in training but the others are doing really well. He has to get over them. Of course he’s impatient. He wants to play and he’s fighting to play.”