Soccer

MANCHESTER UNITED struggler Antony has revealed why he doesn’t feel the weight of his failed £86million transfer to Old Trafford – despite being shipped out on loan.Antony, 25, joined Spanish side Real Betis on loan in January after months of poor form with Man Utd.Antony has got a spring back in his step at Real BetisCredit: GettyThe star struggled at Manchester United following his £86m transferCredit: PAThe Brazilian winger, who joined United from Ajax in 2022, was never able to live up to his mega price tag while playing for the Red Devils.And he managed just 12 goals in his 96 appearances for the Premier League giants.But he has since sparked into life following his six-month loan deal with Betis in LaLiga – registering eight goal contributions in 11 games so far.And the 16-time Brazil international thinks that playing barefoot against drug dealers in his youth helps him to ignore the pressure of performing again.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDiscussing his incredible past, Antony told DAZN: “When I’m asked about pressure, I say ‘what pressure?’“I faced pressure in the favela when I didn’t have shoes to play, I played against drug traffickers and everything. That was real pressure.“When I left in the morning to go to school I often didn’t eat.“So when I go through difficult moments I always think about the challenges that I overcame in the past.”Most read in FootballAntony had very little growing up in BrazilCredit: InstagramHe claims he used to run rings around gang members in his local areaCredit: InstagramHe grew up in a favela nicknamed “little hell”Credit: InstagramJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordAntony grew up in a Brazilian favela nicknamed Inferninho, or ‘Little Hell’ in English.He previously opened up about how his traumatic upbringing left him “numb” to things that others would find harrowing.Antony shows his excitement as he joins Real Betis Speaking to The Players’ Tribune, he said: “On my walk to school one morning, when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, I came across a man laying in the alley. He was not moving. When I got closer, I realized he was dead.”In the favela, you become kind of numb to these things. There was no other way to go, and I had to get to school. So I just closed my eyes and jumped over the dead body.”I am not saying this to sound tough. It was just my reality. In fact, I always say that I was very lucky as a child, because despite all of our struggles, I was given a gift from heaven.”The ball was my saviour. My love from the cradle. In Inferninho, we don’t care about toys for Christmas. Any ball that rolls is perfect to us.”Adding: “I refused to bow my head to anyone. I would elastico the drug dealers. Rainbow the bus drivers. Nutmeg the thieves. I really did not give a f***. With a ball at my feet, I had no fear.”Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim put Antony’s struggles in the Premier League down to his physicality.Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot.’Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it’s physicality.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Antony, the move to Spain has been a revelation.He claimed: “Every day that passes I see that it was the best decision I could have made.”Ruben Amorim thinks a lack of physicality prevented Antony from shining in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

MORE than one in ten footie fans admit their favourite chants are the ones about their own team’s misfortune.From sarcastically celebrating a late consolation goal to poking fun at their own poor away record, 53 per cent of these fans believe self-deprecating songs of irony and wit are all part of the sport’s humour and culture.Football fans love chants about their own team’s misfortuneCredit: PASpecsavers have launched a team called Tunley AthleticThe team has been using a sports psychologistNearly half (46 per cent) believe it shows solidarity among supporters after a bad result.And 43 per cent also believe it helps to keep spirits high – even when their team are the underdogs.The research was commissioned by Specsavers for its ‘Best Worst Team’ campaign, which has enlisted Harry Redknapp to help turn around the fortunes of Somerset side Tunley Athletic.The latest episode of the series features Lioness and Manchester United record goalscorer Ella Toone giving the squad a lesson in winning silverware.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe research also revealed 62 per cent of fans believe singing at football matches can boost players’ motivation, while 44 per cent feel it keeps the team focused during the toughest moments.Sports psychologist Andy Lane, who partnered with Specsavers to arrange a masterclass in psychology and created five new chants for Tunley Athletic fans to belt out on match day, said: “Clubs see their fans as the 12th man, and a loud and supportive crowd is often the difference between victory and defeat.“Chants create a sense of unity and increases motivation and belief – it makes the team feel like they are playing for something bigger than just themselves and keeps them fighting until the final whistle.“If the opposition hears loud, unified chanting, it will undoubtedly shake their confidence and disrupt their focus.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“If we think back to the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-final – Anfield’s electric atmosphere fuelled Liverpool’s historic 4-0 comeback after losing 3-0 in the first leg, it was the energy of the crowd that made it almost impossible for Barcelona to settle.“Whereas during the pandemic, when matches were played behind closed doors, the difference was dramatic.Mass of fuming Tottenham fans flood streets and chant ‘we want Levy out’ in biggest protest against club’s ownership“Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten run at home ended and they lost six consecutive games – something that was once unthinkable.“Our hope is that these chants will make an impact and get the crowd behind Tunley.”The research also revealed 77 per cent of fans believe the use of chants would improve the atmosphere at grassroots games, according to the OnePoll.com figures.While 88 per cent feel music is an essential part of any football club’s identity – from topflight squads competing for a Champions League spot, to a struggling Sunday league side.Three-quarters (76 per cent) think it is the duty of the fans to chant for their team and create an atmosphere that pushes them forward, even when the odds are stacked against them.Professor Lane added: “I wanted to help the Tunley lads understand the power of mindset and the influence of their supporters.“In grassroots football, it’s not easy to replicate the high-energy environments you’d play in at a professional level, and smaller crowds and less fanfare can make it challenging for players to tap into that motivation.“It’s about fostering a sense of unity and belief and building an atmosphere that will give them a true home advantage.”Duncan Fear, who has been manager at Tunley Athletic for more than a decade, said: “We’ve faced a lot of challenges as a club over the last few years and it’s easy to lose focus when things just aren’t going our way.“Confidence is one of our biggest struggles, so to have Andy join our training session and give us a fresh mindset has been game changing.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s given us a new sense of belief, so we’re excited to see how it translates to better performances on the pitch.“We’ll be giving our fans something to really rally behind and put our new chants to the test.” More