MANCHESTER United winger Antony has been pictured arriving back at Old Trafford after being quizzed by cops over abuse allegations by his ex.
The Red Devils confirmed the £85million star would return to the fold yesterday after he was put on a leave of absence from the club.
Antony denies all allegations and yesterday met with officers for a voluntary interview – where he is understood to have offered to hand over his phone.
He was today seen with his girlfriend Rosilene Silva returning to the stadium ahead of the club’s match against Crystal Palace.
Wearing a sports jacket, Antony was pictured cradling the couple’s son – named Lorenzo.
Roseilene, 24, was holding a black Man Utd branded umbrella as she lovingly covered her partner and their little boy.
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She appears to be standing by him despite the allegations of abuse from his ex and two other women.
And earlier today, Antony was also pictured in the back of a black Mercedes fan as he arrived at The Carrington Training Complex.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag yesterday insisted the embattled player’s return to the squad will not be a “distraction”.
The club has faced numerous controversies in recent months – such as its handling of Mason Greenwood and ten Hag’s ongoing feud with Jadon Sancho.
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Dutch boss ten Hag said he has spoken to Antony.
The Brazilian, who also faces accusations from two other women, will not be available for selection for today’s fixture.
The 23-year-old has not played for the club since their 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on September 3.
He was given time off as he vowed to fight the allegations back in his native Brazil.
And this week he returned to the UK ahead of his interview with Greater Manchester Police.
Ten Hag will assess him to see if he is ready to face Galatasaray at home in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils manager said: “I’ve spoken to him but that doesn’t give the impression how he is — how his mental status is. I can’t tell at this moment, first he has to be back.”
Asked how he could be welcomed back while Jadon Sancho is exiled after his public bust-up with the boss, Dutchman Ten Hag replied: “Those issues are nothing to do with each other.
“One is internal, the other one is external.”
United released the statement confirming the player’s return just over two hours before Ten Hag faced the media to preview the match against Crystal Palace.
“We make the statement, so I refer to the statement,” Ten Hag said. “I think everything has been made clear in the statement.
“No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We focus on the games and he will do as well.”
Asked for details on his return, the Dutchman said: “On Saturday, he will be back in the training, so tomorrow.
“I have to see (how fit he is), but I think, yeah (he’s fit).”
Ten Hag insisted he did not want to stray into “hypothetical” discussions about Antony or stray too far away from the club statement on Friday.
It has been reported in Brazil that Gabriela has told police that £150,000-a-week Antony assaulted her four times.
She previously alleged she was first attacked in June 2022 while pregnant and on holiday in Brazil.
And she claimed in January Antony headbutted and punched her in a Manchester hotel, damaging a breast implant.
She also alleged he threw a glass at her in May, injuring her finger.
Cavallin led calls for Antony to be dropped from the squad in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday.
Gabriela said: “Antony needs to be taken off the pitch. It’s disappointing he’s still allowed to play while there’s an investigation.
“I am absolutely destroyed by the whole process. How can life go on as normal for him? They can’t just know what they know now and not do anything.
“He needs to be removed.”
Antony gave a tearful interview earlier this month in which he denied the allegations made against him, and stated he does not fear for his United future.
He said: “It’s something that doesn’t cross my mind.
“I never touched her. I know that many are massacring me but the truth always comes out. I am 100 per cent sure that I have never touched a woman.
“I dream of returning to the national team and I want to show that Antony is innocent of all this.”
United parted ways with Mason Greenwood after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against him were dropped.
Old Trafford chiefs conducted their own investigation and decided it was “appropriate” for club and player to part company.
A spokesperson for the charity Women’s Aid said: “We know that this morning’s news from Manchester United about their player, Antony, returning to training and selection while police inquiries continue will have an impact on survivors of domestic abuse.
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“We urge the national football organisations to work with specialist services, like Women’s Aid, to provide much-needed guidance for clubs on domestic abuse and the handling of domestic abuse cases.
“An informed and consistent approach is vital in order to create a society where domestic abuse is not tolerated and we will be writing to the national organisations to raise this.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
