Manchester United winger Antony says he “knows his worth” and is determined to prove his critics wrong and succeed at Old Trafford.
The Brazil international is nearing the end of his second season at United after joining from Ajax – reportedly at the behest of coach Erik ten Hag – for £84.8million in September 2022.
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Antony netted against Burnley on Saturday – his first Premier League goal of the season – and is already targeting an improvement next season.
He told reporters: “It’s been a very tough year for me and the team. The results are not ones we have expected.
“I am someone who takes criticism very well and I want to work on it, and I think we all have to focus on finishing the season the best as we can.
“We still have a few Premier League games and the [FA Cup] final, but then we need to focus on the next season and not commit the mistakes we’ve committed this year.”
🎯 @ANTONY00 on target 🇧🇷#MUFC PIC.TWITTER.COM/68VSFUXEHT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) APRIL 28, 2024
With Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos now in charge of the football operations at United, players will have to start justifying their transfer fees, although Antony is not concerned by how much the club paid for his services.
He added: “That doesn’t really impact me because I know my worth.
“The money is the money and obviously everyone speaks about it but no one would if the performances of everyone and myself were at the top.
“So, it’s something that is just a way of working harder, knowing I can get better, I know my worth and I will.
“As I said the critics are going to exist, and it’s something that makes me want to work harder, prove to myself first.
“I’m going to keep working, giving everything for the group because it’s most important to have a good mentality and to be focused.”
Saturday’s stalemate with relegation-threatened Burnley leaves United sixth in the Premier League table with four games remaining.