Louis Saha indirectly blames manager Erik ten Hag for Antony’s failed stint with Manchester United

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha blamed manager Erik ten Hag and others for Brazilian winger Antony‘s disappointing tenure at Old Trafford after the Dutchman influenced the club to sign the player at a huge fee of £85 million from Ajax in 2022.

Dutch manager Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United in 2022, after five seasons at Ajax during which he won the Eredivisie thrice. However, the ongoing 2023-24 season for United hasn’t matched the previous year’s third-place finish. The manager has faced criticism for misjudged player acquisitions, including Antony, whose performance has fallen short since his transfer from Ajax. The winger has scored an underwhelming eight goals in 65 matches for the Red Devils.

Frenchman Louis Saha criticized Antony and Ten Hag, attributing blame to three sets of people for the Brazilian’s unsuccessful stint. Firstly, he held the player responsible for his stubborn attitude in refusing to alter his playing position or style. He held the Dutch manager responsible next, for sticking to his old tactics of making the youngster play on the right wing, despite the ineffectiveness. Thirdly, he blamed the player’s entourage for being collectively responsible for his failure to perform at United.

There is a bit of stubbornness in the way Antony plays. When you have a predictable style, you have to change it up. Whether it’s him, his manager, or even his entourage, everyone can see he needs to change something. Until he understands, he’ll keep struggling in the Premier League. He needs to be forced to do things that he isn’t comfortable with, it’s got to be an obligation.

Louis Saha, moreover highlighted the importance of diversity within Antony’s playing styles, suggesting that the manager should use more stronger methods to enhance the winger’s performance. This includes improving his passing techniques and ability to provide crosses.

Louis Saha ranks £73 million flop Jadon Sancho as United’s biggest transfer ‘failure’

Former Red Devils and Tottenham striker, Louis Saha termed England international Jadon Sancho as Manchester United’s biggest transfer failure in recent years, emphasizing the forward’s inability to meet expectations despite his massive £73 million price tag.

The former French forward’s comments come to light after United recently decided to loan Jadon Sancho back to his former club, Borussia Dortmund, for six months. The 23-year-old had a tumultuous time with the Red Devils, being sidelined from first-team play and training since August due to a fallout with manager Erik ten Hag.

Saha expressed disappointment in Sancho’s situation at Manchester United, emphasizing that he couldn’t support Sancho’s actions, even as a United supporter, thus calling his transfer to the club a ‘big failure’.

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