Erik ten Hag has abandoned his most expensive Manchester United decision this season

Antony celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday and when blowing out the candles on his cake, he might have wished to start for Manchester United against Fulham.

Rasmus Hojlund was ruled out of the game through injury and his absence opened the door for another player to feature, but it was Omari Forson who was given the nod.

Forson started on the right, Marcus Rashford played down the middle and Alejandro Garnacho was on the left, which represented a new low for Antony, who was signed for £86million in the summer of 2022 but now finds himself below a raw youth product in the pecking order.

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United were toothless against Fulham and had no focal point with Hojlund watching from the stands. Forson looked green and it seemed like his opportunity had come too soon.

When Erik ten Hag made a double change shortly into the second half, Forson and Casemiro were replaced by Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay respectively. The next substitution came as United trailed with 10 minutes remaining as Amad came on for Kobbie Mainoo.

Antony could have replaced Forson or Mainoo but was overlooked on both occasions, finally coming onto the pitch with just seconds left of the game during injury time.

It was a birthday to forget for Antony and Ten Hag was asked whether a lack of fitness was the reason for his cameo. “It was nothing to do with fitness,” he said.

"He is fit but we have many options on the right side where we lack in other positions due to injuries. The form Antony is in we all have seen and he has to step up. I see it in training, but also Omari [Forson] and Amad and Garnacho deserve to play.”

Ten Hag's assessment of