Antony has once again shed some light on the bitter end of his Manchester United tenure this year.
On deadline day last month, the forward’s three-year Red Devils stint came to an end when he signed permanently for Real Betis.
Antony had had his heart set on joining the Spanish outfit permanently since his loan spell came to an end last June – so much so that he rebuffed a host of other suitors, including Bayern Munich, to fulfil his promise to Manuel Pellegrini and return to Seville.
Antony to Los Verdiblancos: How the transfer came to fruition
Despite being desperate to make the move, it was delayed for a handful of reasons, primarily because Betis continuously failed to meet United’s demands in their approaches, and Antony was demanding his contract at Old Trafford be paid off in full.
United, of course, rejected such a request, staying firm in their stance that Antony could only be offloaded for a lump transfer sum before the window closed.
Betis were eventually made to put their money where their mouth is, submitting an offer worth £19 million upfront plus £2.5m in add-ons, as well as a 50 per cent sell-on clause for United.
It spelt the end of a truly lacklustre era for Antony and United, with both relieved to see the back of the other.
Antony chastises United environment… again
Now back plying his trade in a league more suited to his style of play, the 25-year-old has spoken out to criticise his former employers on numerous occasions already.
Earlier this week, he said: “They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in the hotel, training separately. I feel like they disrespected me, but that’s not the point.”
He has now told ESPN Brazil: “I won’t mention anyone’s name here, but I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too, with no one giving you a ‘good morning’, a ‘good afternoon’. Not even that. But, anyway, that’s in the past, I won’t give much importance to these things.”
