Man United boss Ten Hag to block player’s proposed January departure

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be hoping to see his side improve when the Premier League returns after the international break. 

The Red Devils have endured a difficult season so far, losing nine times in 18 games across all competitions, but produced yet another narrow win on Saturday against Luton Town.

After 12 matches United sit sixth in the Premier League table, and Ten Hag will be hoping to see his side kick on and move up the table in the coming weeks.

With that in mind, Ten Hag is reportedly set to make a huge decision on the future of one of his players.

According to Football Insider, the Dutchman will block winger Antony from leaving Old Trafford during the January transfer window.

Antony, 23, has endured a tough time in Manchester since joining the Red Devils from Ajax last summer, and it had been suggested that the winger could leave United in January.

Antony has endured a tough time since joining Manchester United last summer

But, despite his poor form, Ten Hag is said to still be a ‘huge fan’ of the player that he signed from his former club last year and the Dutchman will therefore insist that he stays put beyond the new year.

The Brazilian, who cost United around £85 million last summer, has scored just eight goals and provided only three assists in 56 matches for United across all competitions.

So far this season, the attacker has failed to register a single goal or assist in 12 games across all competitions.

Antony’s current contract, which earns him a reported £200,000-per-week, is set to run until the summer of 2027.

The Brazil international faces competition from the likes of Alejandro Garnacho for a starting spot in Ten Hag’s side, however Jadon Sancho’s continued exile from the first team squad has left the former Ajax boss relatively short of attacking options.