Antony has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s treatment of him after being cast aside by the club, slamming what he described as a ‘lack of respect’ and ‘rudeness’ during his final period at Old Trafford. The winger spent the latter part of last season on loan with Real Betis and made clear his ambition to secure a permanent switch to the Spanish side throughout the summer transfer window.
However, he was forced to endure a lengthy wait until the closing days of the window to secure his desired move, during which time he was effectively banished by manager Ruben Amorim. The 24-year-old was compelled to train separately from the main squad whilst also being omitted from the club’s pre-season fixtures.
Antony has now voiced his belief that United’s handling of him and other surplus players in the so-called ‘bomb squad’ fell well short of acceptable standards.
“Look, I’m not the kind of guy who gets involved in controversies, who names people, in fact, I won’t mention anyone’s name here,” he told ESPN Brasil.
“But I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too, with no one giving you a good morning, a good afternoon. Not even that.
“But, anyway, that’s in the past, I won’t give much importance to these things. Now I’m here at Betis, I’m living here, that’s the most important thing for me.”
Antony, who joined United in the summer of 2022 for a potential fee exceeding £86million, failed to replicate his Ajax form and was sold at a significant loss to Betis for just £21.65m after protracted negotiations.
Despite this, he accepts that there were extenuating circumstances behind his Premier League struggles but takes responsibility for his performance.
“When questioned about his unsuccessful stint at United, Antony responded: “I am a man who accepts my responsibilities. I think off-field matters affected me a lot, in my performance.
I know my potential, I know my qualities, I didn’t play in a World Cup for nothing, I didn’t return to the national team for nothing.
“I also take responsibility for it not working out, for not performing as I wanted. But I always try to see the bright side of things, going through this entire process, this time at United, was necessary to see myself.”