Erik ten Hag has said that Antony will train with his new team-mates for the first time today, having completed his transfer to Manchester United on Thursday.
The Brazilian was one of two deadline-day additions to the Dutchman’s squad, joining alongside loan signing Martin Dubravka from Newcastle United.
Antony watched our win at Leicester City from home as that match came too soon for him, but Ten Hag hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the 22-year-old making his debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The boss has confirmed the winger is set to take part in Friday afternoon’s team session at Carrington, and he will then think about whether the former Ajax man is ready to be included in the squad.
Due to logistics, Ten Hag’s pre-match press conference for the Arsenal match was conducted at the King Power Stadium on Thursday night and he provided this update on Antony.
“Today (Thursday), he did his first training, so [an] individual [session].
“Tomorrow (Friday), we have a team session and on Saturday we have a team session, so I will think about it and then we will take a decision.”
Unfortunately, the Reds will be without Anthony Martial this weekend.
Our no.9 has missed the last two outings with an injury that he sustained during a positive second-half cameo in the recent victory over Liverpool. And he has now been ruled out of the visit of Arsenal by the boss.
Ten Hag also gave an update on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw after the pair, like Martial, were absent from Thursday’s game at the King Power Stadium.
“It’s difficult to say when I talk about Luke Shaw and Aaron, but Anthony Martial will not be involved on Sunday.”
Asked when Martial may return, the Dutchman replied: “I cannot tell at this moment.”
It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag will alter his starting XI due to the tight turnaround for Sunday’s game, having named the same line-up for our three consecutive wins.
One thing that is for sure is that the manager understands the magnitude of the test that awaits against the current league leaders, and he expects everyone in the squad to be ready to play their part.
“I have seen Arsenal, a tough opponent, they have started really well as we all know in the season, and you can see there is a team who are [a] long [time] together, with a coach who brings his philosophy in the team.
“So, this is a good test and I’m really looking forward [to it]. We will pick the right XI to start but as you see, it’s not only a team, we have a squad and also, today (Thursday), the subs who came on did really well so I’m happy with that.
“That is what we have to construct further.”
