In his first season playing for the "Red Devils", Antony did not play badly. He has 8 goals and 5 assists in all competitions. Last season, this number was only 3 goals and 2 assists. Accompanyed by the declining performance was countless frustrating performances. In particular, the 24-year-old Brazilian star will have to take a full break in September 2023 after being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Too many things affecting him, combined with the decline in the performance of the whole team seems to have sunk Antony. From being favored by Erik ten Hag for a starting position, Antony gradually lost his reputation in the "Red Devils" squad. At the beginning of this summer's player market, combined with not being called up to the Brazilian national team to play Copa America 2024, Antony's transfer fee was only over 30 million Euros. Everything seems to be pushing the winger who played for Ajax closer to leaving Old Trafford.
"I am a person who demands a lot from myself, of course last season could not be said to be a success. However, there have been many things that have happened to me in the past year. Whether he wanted it or not, those things affected his performance on the pitch.
Now, I have forgotten everything and the new season is ahead. I am focusing on it and believe that I will be a completely different version. I learned a profound lesson from those things to mature and mature" - Antony shared with The Athletic.
This summer, when Amad Diallo is in good form and the right-forward position still has Alejandro Garnacho and to some extent Jadon Sancho, the competition with Antony is too big. Understanding that was both a challenge and an opportunity, Antony told himself that he needed to make an urgent effort.
"I set myself many goals for next season, specifically scoring more goals. Fans can rest assured that you will hear the name Antony in more goals and assists in the coming time.
I'm writing more goals for the upcoming season and looking at them every day. There are some things that are recorded in great detail such as: the number of shots should be taken in 1 match, not losing the ball, needing to score or assist, completing passes and dribbles, in addition to high defensive performance.
I came up with the idea of recording these things after each match with my wife, as a diary to take as a goal" - Antony shared.
Last season, Antony had inappropriate reactions to coach Ten Hag. In the return Premier League match against Arsenal, he was deployed as a left-back in the final minutes. The 24-year-old star reacted in the face. After that, in the dressing room, the Brazilian striker was reprimanded by his coach, reminding him to respect his assigned position.
Without waiting for Ten Hag to clarify the penalty for that action, Antony did not play a single minute in Man United's last 3 matches last season, including the victory over Man City in the FA Cup final.
"I love Ten Hag very much and he understands that. Every time we talk together, he often talks about the past, coming from my suburbs as motivation to strive. I am grateful to Ten Hag, he is a great manager" - Antony shared. He also did not forget to talk about having to play as a defender. However, immediately after that match, everything calmed down and the relationship between the two did not break down.
When talking about his background and family, Antony cried. He cried when recalling the difficult time with his family, even living with his current wife in a slum in Brazil. What his family has gone through over the years has trained me to be a brave person like Antony even though he is not much in his age.
Antony said he doesn't need people to know too much about the past and what he's gone through.
"I don't take those stories as an excuse for bad performances. I always demand that I play better. Coming out of the suburbs is fine, I am still proud of that for the rest of my life. If I needed someone to represent that area, I could" - Antony shared.
