Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag must stop his favouritism towards Andre Onana and Antony who have been very poor in the 2023/24 campaign so far.
Antony joined the Red Devils from Ajax for a whooping €95 million in 2022. Onana switched to the Theatre of Dreams from Inter Milan last summer in a deal worth €50m.
The Dutchman recalled the 27-year-old to the starting XI in United’s 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Altay Bayindir debuted for the Red Devils against Newport County in the FA Cup clash as the Cameroon international was at AFCON.
He made a fine impression in his introduction, including a fine-diving stop late in the game.
However, Ten Hag dropped him to the bench when Onana became available.
The Cameroon international didn’t vindicate the manager’s call with his tentative display against Wolves.
He almost let the hosts back into the game after missing his punch from a cross into the box. Lisandro Martinez saved the goalkeeper from another howler with an outstanding goal-line clearance.
He should have charged ahead to stop the second goal from going past him. Instead, he chose to remain rooted to his line.
It has been a tough start to his Old Trafford career, looking uncomfortable in every game in his own penalty area.
If the goalkeeper is indecisive, confidence in the backline drops as well.
Bayindir didn’t do anything wrong in his United bow and deserves more chances.
Onana is not the only player enjoying the game time he does not deserve under Ten Hag. Antony is another beneficiary of the manager’s favouritism.
The United head coach has dropped Antony to a bench role in recent weeks.
However, the Brazilian is often the first to come off the bench ahead of the other forwards who are not getting opportunities to showcase their talent.
Antony replaced Marcus Rashford in the 73rd minute against Wolves. He threatened his own team’s lead as he lost the ball in injury time, from which the hosts scored their third goal.
If not for Kobbie Mainoo’s sumptuous goal, Antony’s error would have been criticised even more.
Amad Diallo returned from his injury in December but has featured just once.
The 21-year-old thrived on the right wing in his loan spell at Sunderland last campaign.
If Ten Hag continues to select Antony ahead of Diallo, the latter could think of leaving the club in the summer.