Antony says ‘personal life’ was the reason for poor Manchester United form
Antony has claimed matters in his personal life “got in the way” of him finding his best form while at Manchester United.
The Brazilian, currently on loan at Real Betis for the remainder of the season, struggled during his spell at Old Trafford, failing to produce the same performance levels that prompted United to pay Ajax £86 million for his services in August 2022.
The winger contributed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 games for the Red Devils, and his time at the 20-time Premier League champions was further marred by abuse allegations, both in the UK and in Brazil.
Antony admite que vida pessoal o atrapalhou no futebol e diz como deu volta por cima no Betis: ‘Não desaprendi’
➡️ https://t.co/Kf8OGcImIX #FutebolNaESPN #LaLigaNaESPN
— ESPN Brasil (@ESPNBrasil) April 18, 2025
He was given a leave of absence from United in September 2023, returning a month later. And Antony says the police investigations negatively impacted his performances on the pitch but the 25-year-old remains assured of his abilities.
“I think that, apart from my football life, my personal life got in the way a lot, because of the things I went through, the moments I lived there.” Antony told ESPN Brasil.
“Like it or not, it’s affected me a lot. So, of course, I know the potential I have.
“It’s not for nothing that I went to a World Cup, it’s not for nothing that I was sold to United for a lot of money, and I know my worth.
“People look at the moment, but they don’t look at the bigger picture, what happens to bring things about. So, as I said, my feeling at United was that I had good moments, bad moments too, but of course I could have done more, I could have done better.”
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Antony also praised the role former United boss Erik ten Hag played his career and insists there is no ill-feeling despite limited opportunities during the Dutch manager’s tenure in England.
“Erik Ten Hag is a coach I’m very grateful to,” Antony said.
“He helped me a lot in the Netherlands, and in England too, even though the opportunities didn’t come the way I wanted to.
“But that’s the coach’s choice, I don’t hold any grudges or anything. On the contrary, I’m very grateful for everything he’s done with me, for all the conversations too.
“He’s a coach who will certainly be in this story because he helped me a lot.”
Antony’s form has improved drastically during his short stint in Spain, and earlier this month Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini said he hoped to extend the player’s stay at the club.
Betis are currently sixth in La Liga and on Thursday reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they will face Fiorentina.
It is unlikely the forward will return to United this summer but Antony was complimentary of Ruben Amorim, calling the Portuguese coach “very intelligent”.
Antony added: “United are going through a difficult time at the moment, but he’s [Amorim] a good coach. I had a good relationship with him, but I needed a new challenge and I wish him all the luck in the world in this final stretch of the season.”
