Erik ten Hag prepared to protect Man Utd player ‘in the firing line’ under INEOS

Erik ten Hag is reportedly willing to give one of his Manchester United stars another chance despite the player being put in the ‘firing line’ by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

Earlier in the week, it was officially confirmed that Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have become minority owners at United.

As reported last year, the British billionaire and his team are set to take charge of the football operation at the club, with the Glazers heading up the commercial side.

During his first sit-down interview since the news, Ratcliffe sent out a stern warning to Manchester City and Liverpool, saying: “We have a lot to learn from our noisy neighbour and the other neighbour.

“They are the enemy at the end of the day. There is nothing I would like better than to knock both of them from their perch.”

It was also reported that Ratcliffe is prepared to sell as many as 11 players in what would be a huge clear-out in the summer.

However, it has now been claimed that United boss Ten Hag is ready to give Brazilian winger Antony, who is reportedly in the firing line, another chance.

Journalist Steven Bates said, via Utd District: “Ten Hag wants more from Antony, and will resist attempts to offload the winger, even on loan, despite Antony being in the 'firing line' by INEOS. Ten Hag wants to give Antony another chance despite his underwhelming performances.”

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Back in 2022, Antony left Dutch side Ajax for United in a deal worth a reported fee of £82 million.

However, the 23-year-old has so far failed to live up to his price tag as he has produced a string of disappointing performances.

This season, the winger has only managed one goal and one assist in 25 appearances across all competitions.

Speaking last month, Ten Hag said of Antony: “First year he was OK, in the pre-season he was very OK, first four games [of this season] he was very good.

“But from the moment he was out and then he came back, he didn't deliver the performance we should expect from him and he can do so much better.”

He added: “His end product in Ajax was very high and he could return to that level. The Premier League is more difficult but he's capable of doing that.”