Why Amad is still not starting for Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has denied his faith in Antony over Amad sends the wrong message to Manchester United players.

Amad has not started a game for United since December 2021 and he has made seven substitute appearances this season since returning from a knee injury in December.

The 21-year-old has made only three starts for United since his deadline day transfer in October 2020 in heavily-rotated teams against Leicester City and Wolves in May 2021, and in the Champions League dead-rubber against Young Boys in December 2021.

Ten Hag said in midweek Amad "deserves" more playing time yet he recalled Antony over the Ivory Coast international for the 4-2 Premier League victory over Sheffield United.

Antony, who has not scored a Premier League goal in over a year, was substituted in the 53rd minute with United 2-1 down. Whenever Amad has come off the bench this season United have been drawing or losing.

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"As you say, Amad is doing really well," Ten Hag said. "We have a lot of competition in the front line and especially, I know, front players you have to give them trust.

"But they have to prove it and there is coming a certain point that things turn around and go against them. If you assess you say Antony: played a very good game against Chelsea, for instance, but then from a low perspective I didn’t play him against Liverpool and also I think he played very good against Newport and then I put him on the bench in the game after. So I don’t think it’s fair how you bring this.

"There is always a thin line between give them trust but, yeah, there is coming a point where other players will get more chances, that