Erik ten Hag has received valuable “advice” on the best way to utilise two Manchester United stars after the Red Devils’ Carabao Cup exit on Wednesday.
United, who lifted the Carabao Cup trophy last season, were outplayed by Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side in a devastating 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the last 16.
Newcastle’s win over United is a further setback for Ten Hag, who has already faced growing criticism after Manchester City’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United have endured an underwhelming Premier League campaign so far, with the Red Devils severely lacking goalscoring output from the frontline.
Marcus Rashford has come under scathing criticism over his form, while United wingers like Antony have failed to make a significant mark in the final third.
Rasmus Hojlund has scored three times in three Champions League appearances for his side, but United’s summer signing has not scored in the Premier League so far.
READ MORE: Rafael says he is not ‘ashamed’ to admit that he ‘never liked’ former Man Utd teammate
MORE UNITED STORIES
Gordon Hill offers Ten Hag advice
Antony was among the United players who were ruthlessly criticised over his disappointing performance against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup round of 16.
The 23-year-old winger reunited with Ten Hag at Old Trafford after leaving Ajax, but Antony has still not convinced his detractors that he will live up to his hefty price tag.
Gordon Hill, who has offered to become a coach for Ten Hag if he wants him, believes that there might be one method in getting the best out of Antony.
The 69-year-old former United winger suggested that Antony should be deployed out on the left wing instead of his preferred right winger role.
One word of advice for you Ten Hage put Antony on the left and garnacho on the right and tell them To goat the defenders as many times as they can and then whip the ball in that will change a game natural wingers
— Gordon Hill (@gordonhill54) November 1, 2023
According to Hill, Antony’s position change would free up Alejandro Garnacho to play out on the right and then both players can operate as out-and-out wingers.
Posting on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “One word of advice for you, [Ten Hag], put Antony on the left and Garnacho on the right and tell them to [goad] the defenders as many times as they can and then whip the ball in [and] that will change a game [as] natural wingers [can do].”
Should Ten Hag play Antony out on the left?
It’s not too late for Ten Hag to make one last roll of the dice with Antony, especially for how much he has kept faith in the former Ajax star.
With Rashford out of form at the moment and the front three failing to click, the United boss does need to shake up his tactics in the short term.
United are lacking natural right wingers, with Jadon Sancho’s exclusion from the first team leaving few opponents to challenge Antony for his place out on the right.
United players who have been underperforming as wingers have also had an impact on Hojlund, who is lacking the service that he should be getting from crosses.
Antony has lacked consistency at United and a potential position change could be the answer, specifically if it is utilised in the way that Hill outlined in his message.
Related Topics
