Antony dismissed the summer reports Get out from Manchester United as he has vowed to match his £82m valuation this coming season.
Since leaving Ajax in 2022, Antony has scored just 11 goals for United and has not always been a regular starter under Erik ten Hag, who favored youngster Amad Diallo in pre-season.
Reports that he might leave United in the summer were common but Antony made it clear The Telegraph that he is focused on the success of the Red Devils.
“I am a very demanding person and obviously I was not satisfied with my season but a lot happened during the year in my personal life,” he said. “Like it or not, everything I’ve been through has had an impact on the field.”
Antony faced allegations of domestic violence against his ex-partner last season which were investigated by police in Brazil and England, and he has never shied away from discussing the impact those incidents have had on him as a person and player.
“Everything I went through was very difficult for me and my whole family,” he continued. “I’ve learned from everything, I’ve grown and grown. I believe I’ve learned a lot from difficulties. I learn from everything I go through. That’s why I said I put it back. I matured and grew from everything and this will make me stronger when I enter this new season.
“New season, new mindset, I’m very focused and determined to achieve great things. I know this season will be completely different.
“I feel less burdened and more prepared – I’m more free to do what I’m really good at. I need to be more involved in goals and score more goals, that’s what I want from myself. Be sure to hear Antony’s name in terms of goals and assists.”
Antony continued to emphasize the criticism of the fans and opponents do not affect him because they do not compare to his childhood experiences and hardships.
“I saw many friends go down the other way and some of them lost their lives,” he recalled. “I always persevered and believed in my dream to be where I am today. When people talk about me or criticize me, I always find comfort in where I come from. I will never let someone else write my story or let people put me down as I truly know what it’s like to be down.
“A lot of people don’t understand where you come from, what you’ve overcome. You come from nothing and now you have everything so easily – it’s hard to deal with all this.
“It comes from lack of food. I didn’t have a bedroom when I lived in the favela. I slept on the sofa in the living room, my house flooded when it rained a lot. I don’t use it as an excuse for my playing because I want a lot from myself to always play well but these are the things that people don’t see, what we went through and we suffered in the past.
Finally, Antony thanked Ten Hag for his continued support during two difficult years in England.
“I really like the coach, he knows him well, and he likes me a lot,” said Antony. “Every time we talk, he always talks about my roots in the favela, because he knows – not everything – but a little about what I’ve been through and what I’ve overcome. I’m very grateful to him. He’s a great coach and he knows he can. Trust me.”
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