Manchester United’s way over-rated £85million star who had not been able to deliver since landing on English shores suddenly found himself serendipitously at the precise right spot on the pitch and fortunately, for both the club and himself, had the presence of mind and character not to fumble his shot at goal.
The Brazilian who has gained much more notoriety for his supposed salacious trysts off the pitch rather than for his performance on the turf actually had the candor to admit he badly “needed” his goal against the Reds after a most difficult year at United.
The Brazil winger actually netted a totally unexpected equaliser to make it 2-2 late in normal time before United went on to win their FA Cup quarterfinal 4-3 after extra time on a day exploding with drama at Old Trafford.
Whilst his detractors would rather believe that it was lady luck smiling benevolently at the Brazilian flop, this was his first home goal – and what a stunner of a goal, truth be told – in over a year after having been away from the squad amid investigations into accusations of abusive behavior in Brazil and the UK leveled against him by his former girlfriend.
“It was a very important goal, it gave us the chance to go to extra time and try to win,” said Antony. “Personally it was a very important moment for me, I needed that goal. At no point did I stop thinking about it and working. It’s games like this that show our values and I believe this will motivate everyone for the season.
“It was a great game. Our team fought until the last minute. We showed the strength that United has in front of our fans. We have the possibility of winning another title for the club and we will fight for it.”
Antony, who was signed over from Ajax in 2022 in a £85 million deal, has been the target of heavy criticism during his tenure so far in England, not having registered a goal or even an assist in the Premier League so far this season, until his whammer of a goal against the Reds in United’s most recent tryst with their bitter rivals at the Theater of Dreams.
The obviously relieved 24-year-old insists he’s been working hard in training – with special focus particularly on his right foot, the one he scored with against Liverpool.
“It has been a period of a lot of learning,” Antony added. “I try to learn from each criticism, understand where I can improve. I have been working silently to evolve and show my football on the field. I have also been training my right foot, to make it better.
“I know my potential and I know why Manchester hired me. I want to repay all of this on the field.”
Whether his beaut of a goal was a fluke or inspired by a moment of true grit and spontaneity, the following matches will tell.
Man United play Coventry City in the FA Cup semifinals on April 20, at Wembley Stadium.