Antony, the second-most expensive player in Manchester United’s history, has recently spoken out against former players of the club, expressing his disappointment at their apparent lack of support and constructive feedback during his challenging time at the club. The Brazilian winger, who was signed by United for an initial fee of £82 million from Ajax in September 2022, has faced difficulties in finding his top form since joining the club, and his situation has been further complicated by ongoing allegations of domestic abuse.
One of the most vocal critics of Antony has been former United captain Gary Neville, who didn’t mince words during Sky Sports broadcasts. Neville went so far as to label the 23-year-old as “embarrassing” for his behavior during October’s Manchester derby against Manchester City, where Antony was seen reacting petulantly during the match’s latter stages.
In a written interview with YouTube channel The United Stand, Antony voiced his frustration, saying, “Today, I see criticism coming from former club players and other people in the media, who unreasonably express their opinions and influence thousands of fans, sometimes even when I do not play. But I’ve never seen them give constructive criticism, which will help me be a better professional. None of them have ever sent me a message to see how I am feeling, especially during this period of turbulence that I am going through. The ‘digital court’ is ruining lives; contexts are left aside, and the truth no longer matters.”
It’s worth noting that although Antony referred to a “period of turbulence” in his life, the interview did not directly address the domestic abuse allegations he currently faces. Brazil had previously banned him from their squad earlier in the year in response to these allegations, and United had also suspended him before allowing him to return to first-team training.
On the pitch, Antony’s performances have yet to meet the high expectations set by his price tag and reputation. He is yet to score or assist a goal this season, despite being touted as one of the club’s most significant signings. However, he remains optimistic about his future, stating, “I am silently rebuilding myself, and I know that I will be able to be in my best physical and mental shape and overcome all these barriers and challenges that are in front of me, because it has always been like this in my life. No one has ever given me anything; I have always fought hard for everything I achieved. I would like to know how these people who make these unfair and malicious criticisms fared in my place.”
As for Manchester United, the club and manager Erik ten Hag are under substantial pressure this season. They have already lost 10 out of 21 games in all competitions, slipping to seventh place in the Premier League. Their qualification hopes for the knockout rounds of the Champions League hang by a thread, relying on a victory against Bayern Munich in their final group stage match and other favorable results.
Antony remains hopeful for the club’s future, stating, “The season is not as good as we wanted – we are unstable. But we lost a lot of injured players, fundamental pieces for Erik ten Hag’s chess. With the return of part of the squad, we will improve, and results will improve.”
In this challenging period for Antony and Manchester United, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on their journey, with fans and critics alike eagerly awaiting signs of improvement from both the player and the team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Antony’s Criticism and Determination
Q: What has Antony criticized former Manchester United players for?
A: Antony has criticized former Manchester United players for offering what he considers to be unconstructive criticism and failing to check on his well-being during his challenging time at the club.
Q: Who is one of the prominent critics of Antony at Manchester United?
A: Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has been one of the prominent critics of Antony, labeling him as “embarrassing” for his behavior during a match against Manchester City.
Q: What is the status of Antony’s performance on the pitch this season?
A: Antony has yet to score or assist a goal for Manchester United this season, despite being one of the club’s most expensive signings. His performances have not met the high expectations set by his price tag and reputation.
Q: How has Antony addressed the domestic abuse allegations he faces?
A: The interview with Antony did not directly address the domestic abuse allegations he currently faces. However, it is mentioned that he was banned from the Brazilian national squad in response to these allegations, and Manchester United had also suspended him before allowing him to return to first-team training.
Q: What is Antony’s outlook for Manchester United’s future?
A: Antony remains hopeful about Manchester United’s future, despite the club’s challenging season. He believes that with the return of some injured players, the team will improve, and results will also improve.
Q: What does Antony believe about the influence of the “digital court”?
A: Antony expressed his concern that the “digital court” is ruining lives, where contexts are ignored, and the truth no longer matters. He appears to be critical of the impact of social media and online criticism on players’ lives and careers.
More about Antony’s Criticism and Determination
- Antony’s Criticism of Former Manchester United Players
- Gary Neville’s Critique of Antony
- Antony’s Performance at Manchester United
- Antony’s Domestic Abuse Allegations
- Antony’s Outlook for Manchester United
- Impact of the “Digital Court”
1 comment
Gary neville was too harsh! give antony a break!