ERIK TEN HAG says out-of-form Antony is still struggling with the fallout from allegations of domestic violence.
Investigations are still ongoing in Brazil and the UK over claims, which he denies, from an ex-girlfriend.
Antony was given leave to miss games in September and fight the allegations but has not been able to recover any sort of form since.
Manchester United manager Ten Hag said: “I can explain. I think it's very simple. His off field issues stop him playing.
“His first year was okay, the pre-season was very okay, first four games was very good, I've seen the game against Spurs back and he played a very good game.
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“But from the moment he was out and then he came back and didn't deliver the performance you should expect from him and he can do so much better.
“It has had an effect, an impact on him, definitely so he has to deal with that, he has to sort them out but he has to do better.”
Ten Hag insists the £82million Brazilian winger will eventually prove value for money having proven himself at times last season and when they were together at Ajax
Ten Hag said: “You mention Ajax, I look back at his effectiveness, his end product was higher and also in the Champions League very high.
“He's capable of doing this, key actions, key passes, the crosses, the finishing, it's very high and he should return to that level but Premier League is more difficult and he's capable of doing that.”
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Ten Hag has had different problems with another winger this season in Jadon Sancho who this week returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan having fallen out with the manager.
He did not want to talk anymore about the fall out but only wished him well.
He said: “I hope he's doing well, so I wish him the best of good luck. That's it. I hope he's doing well and he'll be a success.”
