What did Antony's celebration against Burnley mean?

The Reds had been searching for a breakthrough for almost 80 minutes at Old Trafford when an alert Antony seized possession owing to a short Sander Berge pass just outside the centre circle in the visitors' half.

Our Brazilian winger set off instinctively on a searing run through the middle of the pitch and, fending off pressure from a backtracking Berge and slightly off balance as a result, smartly slotted home a finish beyond the fingertips of Clarets' goalkeeper Arjianet Muric.

After wheeling away in celebration, Antony gathered himself and placed a ball underneath his shirt, before collecting a Sonic the Hedgehog toy from a photographer and holding it aloft across the Old Trafford turf. Now, in an exclusive interview with MUTV, the 24-year-old reveals what was behind those actions...

"First of all, I'm really happy to be able to score and dedicate it to my wife and my daughter, who is on her way," Antony said. "She arrives in the world next month, in good health we hope.

"The Sonic celebration is because my son really likes Sonic. I told my friend to bring Sonic in his bag in case I scored, as I had a feeling I was going to score. It was for me to get Sonic and dedicate it to my son as he is a big fan."

Although this was the first time fans have noticed Antony display a toy at the Theatre of Dreams, it formed part of our no.21's normal pre-match preparations to ensure a part of his son is always with him when he's away from his family with football.

The winger said: "He's [Antony's son] got this new routine for every game of always putting a toy in my washbag that I have to take with me.

"I always take a toy with me for him, and I dedicated the goal to him, a Sonic super fan."

It demonstrates all the guiding influences that are important in Antony's life, all of which helped him through more difficult times.

"God above all, of course, my family, and United, my second family. I spend most of my time, most days here at the club," he added.

"Then football, it is what made me believe, it's what took me away from everything I'd been through and suffered in the past to be living this life today. So definitely a lot of love and affection."

There is little doubt that Antony enjoyed putting his name on the scoresheet against Burnley, but with more important games around the corner, the Brazilian hasn't let himself get caught up in that moment.

"I'm going to continue working hard," he said. "Regardless of whether I'm starting or on the bench. The important thing is being focused on your work and helping the team. Obviously I want to play, and I'll continue working towards this.

"It's important to finish this season winning a trophy. Of course, there are Premier League games first, and we need to take things game by game.

"We need to look at the badge on our chest, on our shirts, knowing that we're the biggest club in England, and respect the badge on our chests."