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Antony reveals his best friend at Manchester United.
Following his £86 million summer transfer from Ajax, Manchester United winger Antony said he is “loving life” at the team and in the city and intends to remain for a very long time.
Antony has suffered a couple of injury spells in his debut season but has generally been a regular starter for United when fit.
Even though he has occasionally lacked consistency, the 23-year-old has managed to score a solid eight goals across all competitions and has displayed a lot of potential.
Antony has experienced a lot as a player who is turning 22 due to the high price tag and switching from Dutch football to the Premier League and Manchester United, which are pressure cookers.
But he is pleased with how things have worked out and, more importantly, is at ease off the field, in large part because the squad already includes several well-known players and Portuguese speakers.
Casemiro, a Brazil teammate for the last couple of years anyway, has become a close friend in particular.
“I feel like I’ve settled in and grown accustomed to the city of Manchester,” Antony revealed in an interview with Inside United, the club’s official magazine.
“There are quite a few Brazilians here. Me and Casemiro are always hanging out, we’re always doing something,” he added.
“I’ve settled into the city and I’m loving life here. I hope I can spend a long time here. Definitely [knowing Casemiro, Fred and Lisandro Martinez helped], and not just those guys, but Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot [have helped] as well.”
Of course, Martinez and Erik ten Hag were once teammates at Ajax; they both moved to Amsterdam before this season to join the manager’s team. Another key contributor has been David de Gea, who has played for United for the longest and is the club’s second-oldest player (after Tom Heaton).
“They’ve helped me a lot, as has our keeper, David,” Antony said. “Having this support, being able to get advice from them, have them show me around and introduce me to things means a great deal. I’m really happy to have been welcomed in like this by all the players here.”