by The former Manchester United player has faced criticism from former players and said that “the digital court is ruining lives”.
The Brazilian says he is “quietly rebuilding” after a tumultuous year on and off the pitch as he battles allegations of assault made against him by an ex-girlfriend as he fights to clear his £85million price tag defend.
United have given the Brazilian player a period of paid leave this season to focus on matters in his private life after Gabriela Cavallin claimed the player made a series of assaults on her between June last year and May last year, which he said. vehemently denies.
Antony has yet to score for United this term as the club’s decision to make him the second most expensive signing in their history after Paul Pogba stepped up.
‘I haven’t seen them give constructive criticism’
But the Brazilian promised to prove his detractors wrong at the same time as treating criticism at the hands of the pundits.
“Today, I see criticism coming from former club players and other people in the media, who express their opinions unreasonably and influence thousands of fans, sometimes even when I don’t play,” he said with the United States.
“But I haven’t seen them give constructive criticism, which will help me become a better professional.
“None of them messaged me to see how I was feeling, especially during the upheaval I’m going through. The ‘digital court’ is destroying lives – contexts are left aside, and the truth no longer matters.”
He added: “I’m quietly rebuilding myself, and I know that I’ll be able to be in my best physical and mental shape and overcome all these obstacles and challenges that I’m facing as it was like this in my life always. .
“Nobody ever gave me anything, I always fought hard for everything I achieved. I want to know how these people who make these unfair and malicious criticisms have succeeded in my place.”
Antony has struggled to make a consistent impact since joining United last summer from Ajax, where he previously played under Erik ten Hag.
He admits that the move to the Premier League from the Eredivisie in the Netherlands was a challenge and he is determined to show that he has what it takes to succeed in the competition.
“The Premier League has been the strongest in the world for a long time,” he said. “I grew intellectually playing for Ajax and I intend to develop even more for Manchester United. Both tactically and in statistics.
“I realized that the game is more dynamic in the Premier League, and that we don’t have time to think. The game requires focus on the physical and mental side. That’s why it’s essential to have a good pre-season, which I didn’t have the chance to take part in.
“I’m trying to run against the clock to be on the same level as my teammates. I am 23 years old, and my life has changed a lot in the last four years. It was not easy to assimilate and understand all those changes.
“My daily battle is getting back in top shape and performing at the highest level on the field, regaining my integrity, and peace of mind.
“I’m feeling stronger physically, and I also understand the English style of play. I developed a lot in tactics, defending much more, and supporting the wing-back. One of my duties is to cover well on the right side and be effective on the offensive side.
“I’ve always been a very quick player with a good dribble – these are innate qualities. I am looking to improve my understanding of the Premier League game and improve my skills to be a more objective player to score better goals and assist numbers.
“Within the tactical side, the wings also play a basic defensive game. I am working hard to reach my best level soon.”
Winger says the squad is behind Ten Hag
United have lost 10 of their 21 games this season and face a challenging fortnight with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday night before games against Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
Antony believes injuries to key players have had a destabilizing effect at Old Trafford this season but has backed Ten Hag to turn things around and says the players are behind the manager and each other.
“The season is not as good as we wanted, we are unstable,” he said. “But we lost a lot of injured players, fundamental pieces of Erik Ten Hag’s chess [board]. With part of the squad back, we will improve, and the results will improve.
“I know Manchester United’s moment is not the best, but we will improve and continue to pursue our goals within the season.”
Antony, who says Casemiro and Diogo Dalot are his closest friends in the dressing room, said: “I try to understand the characteristics of my friends [team-mates]. Everything is very natural between us. This created good chemistry to build the friendships I made at the club. Our group is very close, strengthening us on the field, always running at each other.
“My relationship with Ten Hag has always been very good since Ajax. He taught me a lot, and I owe him a lot for my professional evolution. Of course, in football, in the end we experience ups and downs, which is normal.
“But I like him, and I think he’s an excellent professional, very talented. Managing a club as big and historic as Manchester United is not easy.”
