Erik ten Hag has insisted Antony will find his “unstoppable” best form at Manchester United.

The Brazilian has failed to consistently impress at Old Trafford since making an £86million move from Ajax in the summer of 2022.

In 26 appearances in all competitions for United this season, Antony has scored just one goal, against League Two side Newport in the FA Cup. He has not registered a single assist.

The 24-year-old has unsurprisingly fallen down the pecking order and is yet to make a Premier League start in 2024, with reports emerging in recent days that United are willing to cut their losses and sell Antony this summer, even for a significant loss.

However, speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup fifth-round trip to face Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, Ten Hag issued a firm defence of the winger he worked with at Ajax.

"Antony: I backed him for a long time,” Ten Hag said.

“I know his abilities and he has great abilities. When he plays like I know from the past he is unstoppable, no defender can stop him because he's one of the quickest players in the first 10 yards.

"When he plays that game he will perform. I'm sure he will do for the future, I'm sure he is resilient, he is a character and he will fight back and I back him. He now has to wait for his chance and once he is there he has to pick up."

Ten Hag has come under increasing pressure after United fell to their tenth Premier League defeat of the season, as Fulham picked up a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Jamie Carragher was among those to criticise Ten Hag, believing it is “impossible” for United to defend successfully with the current tactical set-up, but the United boss hit back at that analysis.

"First of all, some analysts are very objective in their comments,” Ten Hag said.

“Very good advice, some are very subjective. Jamie Carragher from the first moment on has criticised and now he wants to make his point.

"Probably in the first half an hour, yeah, he had a point. Fulham in their midfield set up surprised us a little bit and then we have to find the solutions. After half an hour we found the solutions."