Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Antony, and his comments in his signing interview will endear him to United fans already,
Before his signing, Antony was pictured watching Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over arch rivals Liverpool with his agent on Instagram.
Now, in his signing interview, the €100 million man has told fans how watching the game, and the intensity of the team, made him feel about joining the club and how excited he is for these games in future.
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The Brazil winger said: “Of course I watched it. When United scored I celebrated as if I was a fan in the stands.
“I watched the game closely and attentively, what stood out was the desire, the unity of the team, the fire in their bellies, the desire to play.”
“That's what delighted me about the team. I absolutely watched the game, every minute of it and was really happy with the win and celebrated a lot.”
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When asked whether this game made him hungrier to be a part of the atmosphere on nights like that at Old Trafford, he responded very passionately.
The 22 year old commented: “I've been dreaming about this, I've been losing sleep thinking about it, my head and heart were here.”
“Erik knows, everyone at Manchester United knows about my desire to be here and wear the United shirt. I can't wait to put my boots on and start playing and helping my teammates, I'm really looking forward to it.”
The responses to these two questions alone show just how much passion Antony will bring to the North West of England.
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This passion, coupled with his flairy and expressive style of play, is likely to make him an instant fan favourite at Old Trafford.
He named his United idol as another winger who liked to express himself on the pitch, and was the club’s last great right winger. “There are a lot, Nani for example. There are a lot of other players.”
“I hope to continue in this tradition of exciting the fans and pleasing the crowd with my football, not just dribbling and attacking play but if I need to put in a slide tackle, track back, help with marking, there'll be no shortage of desire.”
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“I hope to provide continuity here, we have to respect the weight and tradition of the shirt.”
The player is certainly excited to be in Manchester, and fans are just as excited to have him. But when can they see him in action for the first time?
Antony is not available for selection for Thursday night’s fixture against Leicester City, but depending on his fitness could be available to play at Old Trafford against Arsenal on Sunday.
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It would be a trial by fire for the player, against a high-flying side who are one of United’s bitterest rivals. But it looks to be the kind of game he lives for, making it a fitting potential debut.
Topics: Manchester United, Antony, Erik Ten Hag, Liverpool
Yusuf Haq