Manchester United new boy Antony’s start to life at his new club couldn’t get any better.
On Sunday, United beat league leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford, and it was the Brazil international who opened the scoring against the Gunners.
Having coolly slotted the ball past the onrushing Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal, Antony however, gave credit to fellow teammate Marcus Rashford.
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On Monday, Antony said: “Marcus passed the ball to perfection so when it came [to me], there was not much I had to do.
“I saw the goalkeeper and the ball just came perfectly to me to place it as I did. I was very happy to just go with my instinct.”
Manager Erik ten Hag said Antony’s goal was a great team goal, and two other attacking players who were at the heart of the move were Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho.
Antony said: “Bruno Fernandes had the ball, I think he shrugged off Gabriel Jesus, and then he touched the ball to Jadon Sancho.
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"Sancho made the touch to Marcus, and I knew he could slip the ball either way. And when Marcus, being a very intelligent player, realised I could make a run, I just took off. He slipped the ball, and I took the chance well."
As always at Old Trafford, new signings are welcomed like no other, and Antony’s debut was no different.
The 22-year-old felt the excitement build in the stadium from the fans.
“To score my first goal and share this moment with the crowd, with a great atmosphere, was brilliant.
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"From the moment I stepped on to the pitch, I already had goosebumps because I know how much I wanted to be here and I know how much the crowd wanted this,” said Antony.
Fans on social media realised how after netting his first goal, the former Ajax man went through a catalogue of celebrations.
Antony revealed he couldn’t contain himself.
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He said: “When I saw the ball going in, and the net shaking, I express all my feelings the way I did. Yes, it gave me goosebumps for sure.”
One of those celebrations was a pose of a roaring lion.
When asked whether there was a meaning behind the celebration, Antony said: “It’s a friend’s thing.
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“So when I score a goal, my friends know what it is, it’s a tiger. They know and that’s how I celebrate.”
United fans will be hoping to see much more of the roaring lion going forward.
Topics: Manchester United, Arsenal, Premier League, Antony, Erik Ten Hag
Aadam Haladh