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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Antony admired Ronaldo growing up</li><li>Linked up with superstar at Man Utd</li><li>Also reveals his closest friends at club</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'This guy is a phenomenon!' - Antony recalls first 'dream' first meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo & reveals the two Man Utd players he considers to be his 'closest friends'

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/man-utd-sign-antony-transfer-85m-brazilian-forward-ajax/blt229322f87ce7b6f0" target="_blank">Antony joined Manchester United from Ajax</a> in September 2022 and played alongside Ronaldo until the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/man-utd-confirm-cristiano-ronaldo-leave-club-mutual-agreement-with-immediate-effect/blt9b38d46bfb9a5947" target="_blank">Portuguese superstar left the club by mutual agreement</a> two months later after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan. The Brazilian may not have been able to play alongside Ronaldo for long, but admits it was a dream to meet up with his childhood hero.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He told <a href="https://twitter.com/UnitedStandMUFC/status/1732334229059489948" target="_blank">The United Stand</a>: "I grew up admiring Cristiano Ronaldo. This guy is a phenomenon!! It was a dream come true when I met him."Antony was then asked about the team-mates he considers to be his 'closest friends' at Old Trafford, and replied: "Casemiro and Diogo Dalot."

WHAT ANTONY SAID

Ronaldo's second spell at United ended on a bitter note, with the club cutting ties with the Portugal international after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-slams-man-utd-boss-erik-ten-hag-sensational-interview/blt1c7c7a8be17bff83" target="_blank">he admitted he did not have respect for manager Ten Hag</a>. Antony could be set to follow Ronaldo out of the Old Trafford exit door after failing to impress following his big-money move. The Brazilian is still yet to score or assist this season and could <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/sir-jim-ratcliffe-ditch-jadon-sancho-antony-anthony-martial-man-utd-january-fire-sale/blt75a01f7c598fc79f" target="_blank">reportedly be put up for sale in the January transfer window</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Antony has come under scrutiny this season but has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-winger-antony-furious-response-malicious-criticism-playing-catchup-missing-us-pre-season-tour/bltdd746ae5ef4d9bef" target="_blank">hit back at what he calls the "malicious criticism" he has received</a>. United will be hoping for some sort of response on the pitch too from the winger as the Red Devils bid to turn around a difficult campaign. Attack has been a particular issue for United, with Ten Hag's side having only scored 16 goals in 14 Premier League games.

WHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

'This guy is a phenomenon!' - Antony recalls first 'dream' first meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo & reveals the two Man Utd players he considers to be his 'closest friends' | Goal.com

Manchester United winger Antony has revealed the delight he felt when he first met up with former team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo.

&apos;This guy is a phenomenon!&apos; - Antony recalls first &apos;dream&apos; first meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo &amp; reveals the two Man Utd players he considers to be his &apos;closest friends&apos;