Erik ten Hag is convinced Antony can resurrect his Man United career despite admitting the Brazilian winger was 'not good' last season

Erik ten Hag has insisted that Brazilian winger Antony is good enough to resurrect his Manchester United career.

The 24-year-old has so far failed to live up to the £85.5million transfer fee that United agreed to pay Ajax when he moved to Old Trafford in August 2022.

He scored three goals in his first three Premier League games - including a debut strike against Arsenal - but has only netted twice in his next 51 top-flight outings.

Across 38 appearances in all competitions last season, Antony produced just three goals and two assists.

Antony reported to United's Carrington training base on July 8 for the first day of pre-season but he has not featured in either of the team's first two friendly matches - against Rosenborg and Rangers.

Nevertheless, manager Ten Hag told AD this week: 'I am still convinced that Antony has the potential to play at this club.

'He certainly showed that potential in the first month. He scored three times in his first three games. After that it became more difficult, last season was not good.'

During the same interview, Ten Hag was asked about the likelihood of United signing Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich this summer.

The Red Devils have already bolstered their defence by paying Lille more than £50m for 18-year-old centre back Leny Yoro.

United have also signed Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

Ten Hag said: 'It remains to be seen whether Matthijs de Ligt will come, I know him well.

'I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern. Believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process.

'During my vacation I was three or four weeks out of the process. During that period it was really the club, the newly equipped scouting and recruitment department, that brought in these players.

'The fact that there are also Dutch people among them is in fact a coincidence. Primarily, these were players who were proposed from our organisation. But of course I support it, let that be clear. And we still make the choice together.'