Manchester United star Antony needs to respond to Erik ten Hag challenge vs Sevilla

Erik ten Hag has shown himself to be a deft man-manager this season.

He may not get the credit for it as he isn't a happy-go-lucky, jack the lad with the gift of the gab that has got so many other failed managers countless undeserving jobs purely on the basis of their people skills, but it's clear just how good he is at managing a large group of young, millionaire footballers. Not everyone is these days, just ask Jose Mourinho.

You only needed to watch the jubilant scenes after United lifted the Carabao Cup to see the close relationship Ten Hag has already fostered with his squad and what he means to his players. Lisandro Martinez and Antony, two who have known him longer than anyone else, acted like kids dragging their reluctant father to the dance floor as they cornered Ten Hag, but the Dutchman then joined in with their moves for some lovely scenes.

Also read: Bellingham is ready for the role Ten Hag wants him to take on at United

It takes a lot of love to get to that point and sometimes it needs to be tough. It's not all been sunshine and rainbows with Ten Hag and at times he's had to lay down the law and bring back long-lost discipline to the club. As he said himself last month: "I have certain rules [that] must be [followed] off the pitch because when there is no discipline in the rules off the pitch, it will transfer on the pitch."

It doesn't matter who you are. If you run afoul of those rules there will be consequences. Cristiano Ronaldo was left at home for the game following his refusal to go on against Tottenham and when he went nuclear on the club with his interview he was subsequently let go. Even Marcus Rashford, the main source of goals, was dropped from the starting XI after he overslept and missed a