Brazilian winger Antony has shared his feelings regarding his tumultuous exit from Manchester United, revealing he felt a “lack of respect” from the club and described being treated with “rudeness” during his final days at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old, who made a high-profile 95-million-euro transfer to United from Ajax in 2022, was frozen out of first-team plans and was excluded from the club’s pre-season tour ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
In an emotional interview with ESPN Brasil, Antony opened up about the treatment he received, stating that, despite being a calm and non-confrontational person, he couldn’t ignore the cold behavior from the staff. “There was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too,” he said. “No one even said good morning or good afternoon.” Though he chose not to name anyone involved, Antony made it clear that the experience left him feeling disconnected and sidelined.
His exit marked the end of a difficult two-year spell at Manchester United, which saw him struggle to justify his hefty price tag. Despite starting brightly with eight goals in his first season, Antony’s form dipped sharply, and he struggled to live up to expectations. In total, he scored just 12 goals across 96 appearances for the Red Devils.
Acknowledging the struggles, Antony admitted that personal off-field issues had affected his performance. “I know my potential, I know my qualities,” he reflected. “I didn’t play in a World Cup for nothing, and I didn’t return to the national team for nothing.” However, he also took responsibility for his underwhelming performances at United, admitting, “I accept my responsibilities. It wasn’t easy for me, but I always try to look at the bright side.”
Following his exclusion from United’s plans, Antony secured a return to La Liga with Real Betis, where he had a successful loan spell the previous season. He expressed satisfaction with his current situation, emphasizing that his time in Seville has been fulfilling both personally and professionally. For Antony, the most important thing now is to focus on his career with Betis, leaving the past behind.
