Antony Almost Joined Liverpool Before Manchester United

Antony, the former Manchester United player, disclosed that he was on the verge of transferring to Liverpool before finalizing his move to Manchester United.

Transfer to Manchester United

In September 2022, Antony joined Manchester United from Ajax for a fee of approximately £86 million. During his time with the club, he was frequently criticized for the team’s underwhelming performances under then-manager Erik ten Hag.

Setbacks at Old Trafford

The 25-year-old Brazilian was sidelined by coach Ruben Amorim this past summer as part of an effort to eliminate underperforming players from the squad. This decision came as he sought to revitalize his team, which has since flourished without Antony’s presence.

In his three seasons at Old Trafford, Antony made 96 appearances, tallying only 12 goals and five assists, leading many to label his signing as unsuccessful. However, he has found new life at Real Betis, netting 10 goals and providing six assists in just 30 games.

Reflections on His Career Choices

In a recent interview, Antony shared insights about his near-miss with Liverpool, suggesting that life might have unfolded differently had he signed with them.

“Today, I feel like a much better person and father. Before I finalized my deal with United, I was indeed close to Liverpool. Everything happens for a reason, and while there were challenging moments at United, I also enjoyed success and valuable experiences. I don’t have any regrets.”

Antony recognized that external factors impacted his performance during his time at Manchester United and accepted responsibility for not meeting his expectations.

“I am aware of my potential and qualities; I didn’t compete in a World Cup and return to the national team for nothing. I acknowledge my role in not achieving the desired performance levels, but I also strive to view the positives. My experiences at United have been crucial in my self-discovery.”

With his time at Manchester United behind him, Antony can now concentrate on his role at La Liga club Real Betis, aiming to further establish his impact and help the team secure European competition. While he may ponder what could have been had he joined Liverpool, the past cannot be altered.