Dharmesh Sheth: Ten Hag target's recent Instagram activity will "encourage Manchester United"

Manchester United will be ‘encouraged’ in their chase for Ajax winger Antony after the player was pictured watching their clash with Liverpool on Monday night, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Erik ten Hag has been a busy man since taking over managerial responsibilities at Old Trafford but still has time to strengthen further ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.

According to MailOnline, Ajax have raised their asking price for the Brazilian star.

Previously, the Dutch giants were demanding £67 million for the 22-year-old’s services but have since increased their demands to £84 million.

However, Antony was left out of the club’s clash with Sparta Rotterdam over the weekend, with a source telling Sky Sports that he was ‘not mentally right’ to play.

It came shortly after United had a bid in the region of £67 million rejected as Ten Hag looks to bolster his attacking options.

On Monday night, a picture of the £19,000 per-week star surfaced online, via his agent, of Antony watching the Red Devils’ victory over Liverpool on TV. The post has since been deleted.

Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo also continues to be targeted at Old Trafford and, according to The Athletic, the feeling is that the club will only sign one of the two Eredivisie stars.

Sheth understands that Antony was left out of Ajax’s weekend clash because he was not mentally ready to play.

The Sky Sports reporter added that the image of the forward watching the victory over Liverpool is only likely to encourage United to up the ante in their pursuit.

Sheth told GIVEMESPORT: “Ahead of that game against Sparta Rotterdam when he was left out of that squad, the manager said ‘look, he wasn’t focused’. The information I was told was that he