Antony announces his arrival at Manchester United with dream debut goal against Arsenal

Antony scored a dream debut goal for Manchester United to give the Red Devils the lead against Arsenal in a pulsating match at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian winger only joined United in a £85m move from Ajax earlier this week.

But he was named in the starting line-up by manager Erik ten Hag for Sunday's Premier League clash in Manchester.

He immediately began paying back his huge transfer fee with a well-taken goal in the 35th minute of the match.

After being played through on goal by Marcus Rashford, Antony kept his composure to curl the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

It was a major blow for Arsenal, who had created a number of chances earlier in the game and had seen a goal for Gabriel Martinelli ruled out after a VAR review.

Antony grew in confidence after the goal and attempted an audacious lob over Ramsdale in the closing stages of the half but saw his shot easily saved by the England international.

🌟 𝐀 𝐍 𝐓 𝐎 𝐍 𝐘 🌟

It's a dream debut goal for Man Utd's new star signing! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/xxYfaqnLAU

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2022

United supporters on social media were delighted with the immediate impact of Antony.

"WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!," wrote one fan on Twitter.

Another added: "What a signing."

While a third wrote: "Antony just silenced all his haters."

What a signing

— Cleiba (@cleibaclothing) September 4, 2022

Antony just silenced all his haters

— J. (@StonedBatxx) September 4, 2022

WORTHY EVERY PENNY!!!!

— Maddy (@EvilRashford) September 4, 2022

But his debut goal was enough to give the home side a one-goal lead at the break.

Explaining his decision to start Antony, Ten Hag said pre-match: "He can be a real threat.

"On that right wing, with his speed, without the ball movement, but also with his dribbles. And also, he is very good at pressing, and I think that that is what we need against Arsenal, who are a good football team.

"If you let them play that's a problem, so we need to really be good pressing and pressing the back line of Arsenal. Yes [biggest test], but also for them, that's clear. It's a big test, but the biggest test I think was Liverpool.

"Now this is another test, different styles and you have to be good with what I've said, the pressing has to be good."