The Man United manager did not start Antony in four successive games after he was cheered off by some United supporters in the 1-0 win at Fulham on November 4 but he stood out on his return to the team in the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray last week.
The £86.3million Brazilian was benched for the listless defeat to Newcastle and was one of the few to emerge with any credit after his emergence in the 61st minute.
When this correspondent suggested Antony had benefited from a spell on the sidelines, Ten Hag replied: “I think it’s a very good opinion, I agree.
“He is progressing as the team is progressing but this is the attitude, what he needs, what he has to contribute to the team. He was very bright, he got very good positions on the ball, he also made very good decisions and he’s stepping up. He has to build on this.”
Mufc entertain Bournemouth on Saturday and next week conclude their Champions League group stage against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday before heading to face Liverpool at Anfield, where they have not won since January 2016.
