‘Ex-Man Utd players never ask if I’m OK’ – Antony
Antony: Man Utd winger criticises club’s ex-players for not asking if he is OK
Manchester United winger Antony has chastised past teammates for failing to offer constructive feedback or inquire about his well-being.
United paid Ajax an initial fee of £82 million for Antony in September 2022, but he has struggled to find form since then.
The Brazilian is also the subject of a police probe investigating a number of domestic abuse charges.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has slammed Antony during Sky Sports broadcasts.
Neville dubbed the 23-year-old “embarrassing” for striking out at Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku in the closing seconds of Old Trafford’s Manchester derby defeat in October.
Antony stated in a written interview with YouTube channel The United Stand that he believes the criticism he has gotten from the club’s former players is unjust.
“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,” stated the Uruguayan midfielder.
“However, I’ve never seen them provide constructive criticism, which will assist me in becoming a better professional.”
“None of them have ever sent me a message to see how I’m doing, especially during this period of turbulence.”
“The ‘digital court’ is ruining lives; contexts are left aside, and the truth no longer matters.”
Though Antony mentioned “a period of turbulence” in his life, the domestic violence allegations against him were not addressed directly in the interview.
In reaction to the claims, Brazil barred him from their squad earlier this year, while United suspended him before allowing him to rejoin to first-team training.
Antony came on for Marcus Rashford with 29 minutes remaining in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Newcastle United.
The former Ajax man has failed to score or assist a goal this season for Red Devils coach Erik ten Hag’s side.
“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,” Anthony stated.
“No one has ever given me anything; I’ve always worked hard for everything I’ve gotten.” I’d like to know how these folks who make these unjust and spiteful accusations fared if they were in my shoes.”
United and manager Ten Hag are under considerable pressure after losing 10 of their 21 games this season in all competitions.
They have dropped to eighth in the Premier League and are in danger of losing out on Champions League knockout rounds, having to beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in their last group stage match while praying Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw.
“The season is not as good as we wanted – we are unstable,” Antony said.
“However, we lost a lot of injured players who were key pieces in Erik ten Hag’s chess.” We will improve, and our results will improve, with the return of a portion of the squad.”