Antony breaks down in tears over Man Utd move and makes startling admission

Antony became an outcast at Manchester United after falling out of the first team picture before reviving his fortunes on loan at Real Betis – but the Brazilian has now shed light on his mental struggles at Old Trafford

Manchester United star Antony has given an emotional interview, breaking down in tears after admitting he went days without eating during his struggles at Old Trafford and “couldn’t take it anymore”. The Brazilian cost £85million when he signed for United from Ajax in 2022 but struggled to justify his huge price tag.

The 25-year-old failed to start a Premier League game for the team under either Erik ten Hag or Ruben Amorim this season and was sent out on loan to Real Betis, where he has rediscovered his best form.

Antony has previously admitted he now has a “smile on his face” after being untrusted by manager Manuel Pellegrini, having been on the sidelines for so long at Old Trafford.

Now he has spoken out to reveal how unhappy he was in Manchester, saying he went through “difficult times” and felt “emotional” having lost the “pleasure” of playing football.

The most alarming of his admissions was that he locked himself in his room and went days without eating.

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Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, he became tearful while recalling his difficult season at United. He said: “[Coming to Betis] changed a lot because I needed to find myself, because of everything I went through in my personal life.

“As I said, I wanted to do things, but they didn’t seem to work out because I wasn’t happy, I didn’t feel that desire to play football, and I needed to find myself and be happy again because playing football was always something I loved.

“I went through difficult times [at Manchester United ] when I no longer felt that pleasure. I even always told my brother, I told him that I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“[My brother] told me to hold on a little longer, that things were going to change . It even made me emotional, because they were very hard days for me,’ Antony said, reduced to tears as he recounted the story.

“Only I know what it was like to be there at home, not having the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room. So, for me it was very complicated, but thank God, with the help of my family and mainly with the help of God, I managed to get ahead and today I am very happy here.”

Antony has a chance to end his season with a trophy as he prepares for the UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

He has so far scored nine goal and provided two assists and become a fan favourite after dramatically turning his fortunes around and he is not expected to return to United. Betis are desperate to keep him but can’t afford the £40m United are seeking.

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