Manchester United winger Antony says he will prove his worth and silence his critics after scoring his first Premier League goal of the season on Saturday.
United paid £86million ($108m) to sign the Brazilian from Ajax in August 2022 following Erik ten Hag’s insistence that he wanted his former player to join.
“It (the transfer fee) 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,” Antony said.
“It’s something that is just a way of working harder, knowing I can get better, I know my worth and I will (show it).
“The critics are going to exist, and it’s something that makes me want to work harder, and 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.”
Aston Villa’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Saturday put an end to United’s slim chances of finishing in the top four and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Antony has made 36 appearances in all competitions for United — scoring three times — and has often been a lightning rod for criticism if the team loses and he has played poorly.
In February, Ten Hag said the 24-year-old needs to “step up” and that even though his winger has “big potential”, he has “a point to prove”.
“It’s been a very tough year for me and the team, the results are not ones we have expected,” Antony said when asked to reflect on the criticism he has received throughout the season.
“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.”
Ten Hag’s side still have a chance of ending the season on a high by winning the FA Cup against Manchester City on May 25 in a repeat of last year’s final.
If United are to avenge last year’s loss, Antony insists they will need to significantly raise their level to stop their local rivals from retaining the trophy.
“We know we have a final and we want to win it but we need to get better in order to do so,” Antony added. “We still have five games and we have to think game by game, getting better and get the best way into the final possible and win it.”
GO DEEPER
Antony, Manchester United’s €95million problem
(Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
