Manchester United winger Antony has expressed how scoring against Liverpool provided a significant boost to his confidence and determination to live up to his high valuation.
The Brazilian player, who netted his first goal at Old Trafford this season during Sunday’s FA Cup match against Liverpool, described the experience as uplifting.
He acknowledged the importance of the goal in enhancing his morale and emphasised his commitment to proving himself on the pitch.
Speaking to reporters, the winger said: “It was a very important goal, it gave us the chance to go to extra time and try to win. Personally, it was a very important moment for me, I needed that goal. At no point did I stop thinking about it and working.
“It’s games like this that show our values and I believe this will motivate everyone for the season. It was a great game. Our team fought until the last minute. We showed the strength that United has in front of our fans. We have the possibility of winning another title for the club and we will fight for it.”
Since joining Manchester United from Ajax in 2022 for a hefty £85 million (€99 million), the 24-year-old winger has faced scrutiny for his performances, failing to meet the high expectations associated with his price tag. Despite criticism, the Brazilian player is determined to prove his worth on the field and redeem himself.
He has been quietly working on improving his game behind the scenes and is committed to repaying the transfer fee through his performances.
Antony added: “It has been a period of a lot of learning. I try to learn from each criticism and understand where I can improve. I have been working silently to evolve and show my football on the field. I have also been training my right foot to make it better. I know my potential and I know why Manchester hired me. I want to repay all of this on the field.”
Following the international break, Antony, the former Ajax standout, is set to return to action for Erik ten Hag’s squad. Their next match in the Premier League is scheduled against Brentford on March 30.