Antony: My first goal gave me goosebumps
Manchester United's new winger Antony was naturally still buzzing when we caught up with him at Carrington on Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after he scored on his debut for the club.
The Brazilian was beaming as we discussed his 35th-minute finish past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, the only strike that separated the sides in a pulsating first half at Old Trafford.
Antony gave a lot of credit to the team-mate who provided the pass for his dream moment, Marcus Rashford, who later went on to score twice himself of course as the Premier League leaders were swept aside in a thrilling 3-1 win for the Reds.
Antony gave a lot of credit to the team-mate who provided the pass for his dream moment, Marcus Rashford, who later went on to score twice himself of course as the Premier League leaders were swept aside in a thrilling 3-1 win for the Reds.
GOTD: Antony v Arsenal Video
GOTD: Antony v Arsenal
Goal of the Day | What an introduction to Old Trafford it was for Antony against Arsenal on Sunday…
"Marcus passed the ball to perfection so when it came [to me], there was not much more I had to do," said Antony somewhat modestly.
"I saw the goalkeeper and the ball just came perfectly to me to place it as I did. I was very happy to just go with my instinct."
By namechecking two other colleagues, Antony clearly agrees with his manager Erik ten Hag's assertion that it was a great team goal.
"Bruno Fernandes had the ball, I think he shrugged off Gabriel Jesus, and then he touched the ball to Jadon Sancho," said our new signing, almost in the style of a match commentator.
"Sancho made the touch to Marcus and I knew he could slip the ball either way. And when Marcus, being a very intelligent player, realised I could make a run, I just took off. He slipped the ball and I took the chance well."
"Bruno Fernandes had the ball, I think he shrugged off Gabriel Jesus, and then he touched the ball to Jadon Sancho," said our new signing, almost in the style of a match commentator.
"Sancho made the touch to Marcus and I knew he could slip the ball either way. And when Marcus, being a very intelligent player, realised I could make a run, I just took off. He slipped the ball and I took the chance well."
As for how it felt to see the ball hit the back of the net, Antony replied: "To score my first goal and share this moment with the crowd, with a great atmosphere, was brilliant.
"From the moment I stepped on to the pitch, I already had goosebumps because I know how much I wanted to be here and I know how much the crowd wanted this.
"When I saw the ball going in, and the net shaking, I express all my feelings the way I did. Yes, it gave me goosebumps for sure."
"From the moment I stepped on to the pitch, I already had goosebumps because I know how much I wanted to be here and I know how much the crowd wanted this.
"When I saw the ball going in, and the net shaking, I express all my feelings the way I did. Yes, it gave me goosebumps for sure."
We were naturally curious as to why his goal celebration featured the pose of a roaring lion, but it seems we were mistaken in our choice of big cat.
"It's a friends thing," said our new no.21, with a laugh.
"So when I score a goal, my friends know what it is, it's a tiger. They know and that's how I celebrate."
"It's a friends thing," said our new no.21, with a laugh.
"So when I score a goal, my friends know what it is, it's a tiger. They know and that's how I celebrate."
Back to Top