Brazilian winger Antony has made a remarkable comeback in football following his loan move from Manchester United to Real Betis in January. Since joining the Spanish La Liga club, Antony has contributing three goals and two assists in just seven appearances. His impressive performances have quickly made him one of the key players in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad.
Why Antony’s Loan Move to Real Betis Was the Right Decision
Antony’s decision to join Real Betis has been a turning point in his career. Under the guidance of seasoned coach Manuel Pellegrini, Antony has been able to express himself more freely in La Liga, a league known for its slightly less physically demanding style of play compared to the English Premier League.
Antony has appeared to settle in quickly, surprising many of the Old Trafford faithful who had witnessed his lacklustre displays first hand. He has shown flair, speed and ability on the ball as well as contributing a real goal threat, something that was missing during his time with the Red Devils.
Ruben Amorim’s Comments on Antony’s Struggles at Manchester United
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim recently made comments about Antony’s previous struggles at Old Trafford. According to Amorim, the physicality of the Premier League hindered Antony’s ability to perform at his best. The MUFC manager suggested that the intense physical demands of English football didn’t allow the Brazilian to showcase his skills fully during his time at United.
Júnior Pedroso’s Defence of Antony’s Performance
Antony’s agent, Júnior Pedroso, has strongly disagreed with Amorim’s assessment, offering a firm rebuttal. Pedroso explained that Antony’s lack of success at Manchester United wasn’t due to physicality, but rather the lack of sufficient playing time.
“We respect the opinion of coach Ruben Amorim, but we completely disagree with his analysis. To attribute Antony’s lack of success at Manchester United solely to the question of physicality is a very superficial argument and does not reflect reality.
“The truth is that Antony has not had enough prominence or the confidence necessary to play his best football. Of the 15 games in which Amorim managed Manchester United, he only used Antony in nine, with a total of 252 minutes played. This represents only 18.6% of the total possible minutes (1,350 minutes). How can you judge an athlete without a minimum sequence to prove his worth?
“The manager’s statement, although perhaps it was not his intention, ends up devaluing La Liga and the Spanish competitions. Spanish football has one of the most competitive leagues in the world, with top-level teams that constantly compete in the final stages of the Champions League and the Europa League.”
Systemic Issues at Manchester United Affecting Antony’s Career
Pedroso also hinted at a deeper issue within Manchester United’s management, suggesting that the club’s struggles may not be entirely down to the players. Many footballers who haven’t thrived at Old Trafford have gone on to find success at other clubs. Pedroso questioned whether the problem was more about Manchester United’s handling of its players than the players themselves. We have seen the likes of Marcus Rashford depart on loan as well as Kobie Mainoo reportedly looking for a way out.
“Many players who struggle at United go on to do well at other clubs, which raises questions about whether the problem really lies with the players,” he stated.
Antony’s Future at Real Betis: Will He Stay?
With Antony’s recent performances at Real Betis, discussions have already begun about extending his stay. Antony himself has expressed interest in prolonging his loan spell for another season. Betis’ executive, Ramón Alarcón, confirmed that Antony’s adaptability and contributions since his arrival have made him an important part of the team. Although the contract does not contain an automatic buy out clause.
His agent continued:
“It has been an incredible experience for both him and his family,” Pedroso said. “It seems that Antony has been at Betis for years, so natural has his adaptation been. He feels completely comfortable in Seville and is delighted with the city and the club.”
“La Liga was the ideal destination. Betis is a competitive team, with a style of play that adapts well to Antony’s strengths and an experienced coach like Manuel Pellegrini, who knows how to bring the best out of attacking players.”
Antony’s Manchester United Future
Antony is a decent player but what has made this situation worse is the shear stupidity shown by Manchester United decision makers to spend such a huge amount on bringing the then Ajax winger to Old Trafford in an attempt to back ten Hag. He is another in a long line of expensive mistakes.
Performing in the pressure cauldron that is Old Trafford in the biggest league in the world for one of the biggest clubs in the world, even with their current fortunes is enough to sink some players. Antony clearly thrives in a different environment. It was clear before Amorim that he did not have what it takes to make it as an Old Trafford player and I doubt it would have taken the Portuguese long to make that conclusion.