Manchester United forward Antony has insisted that he will navigate his way through a difficult period in his life in order to prove his worth to the 20-time English champions.
The Brazil international has largely struggled to make his mark for the Red Devils since arriving from Ajax in August 2022, managing just eight goals and three assists in 58 appearances for the club.
Antony has not registered a single goal or an assist in 14 outings this term, but it has been a turbulent opening few months to the campaign for him due to off-the-field problems.
The 23-year-old was given a leave of absence by Man United earlier this season to deal with allegations of assault which have been levelled towards him by his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin and one other woman.
Cavallin has said that the forward assaulted her on multiple occasions during their relationship, with the alleged incidents said to have happened in both Brazil and England, and Antony has been assisting the Greater Manchester Police and Sao Paulo Civil Police during their investigations.
Antony has hit out at the criticism aimed towards him this season, but the South American remains confident that he will be able to show his best form for Man United.
"Pressure has always been with us for those who play in big clubs, especially regarding United," Antony told The United Stand.
"My life has always been very challenging, and I have had to go through many situations that many cannot imagine. I grew up in a hostile place, where eating, having a good house, having the internet, and access to a good education were a privilege; I would say that for us on the 'favelas,' all of these were a luxury few people could have.
"This was a period in which I learned to deal with pressure and challenges. The pressure of life! Today, I see criticism coming from former club players and other people in the media, who unreasonably express their opinions and influence thousands of fans, sometimes even when I do not play.
"But I've never seen them give constructive criticism, which will help me be a better professional. None of them have ever sent me a message to see how I am feeling, especially during this period of turbulence that I am going through. The 'digital court' is ruining lives; contexts are left aside, and the truth no longer matters.
"I am silently rebuilding myself, and I know that I will be able to be in my best physical and mental shape and overcome all these barriers and challenges that are in front of me because it has always been like this in my life; no one has ever given me anything, I have always fought hard for everything I achieved!
"I would like to know how these people who make these unfair and malicious criticisms fared in my place. I'm 23 years old, and my life has changed radically in the last four years. It wasn't easy to assimilate and understand all those changes.
"My daily battle is getting back in my best shape and performing at the highest level on the field, regaining my integrity, and having peace of mind! I advise those young players to take care of their mental side and work hard; then, things will happen naturally."
Antony was a second-half substitute in Man United's 1-0 loss to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, and he will be hoping to come back into the XI for Wednesday's clash with Chelsea. body check tags ::
