Antony has opened up on the secret to his impressive form at Real Betis after joining the club on loan from Manchester United in the January transfer window......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The Brazilian forward endured a frustrating time at Old Trafford since he joined the club from Ajax in a deal worth £80 million in 2022.
The deal made him the second most expensive signing in United’s history yet he scored just 12 goals in 96 games.
He struggled to replicate the same form that made Manchester United sign him from Ajax even under the same coach, Erik Ten Hag, who managed him in Holland.
The 24-year-old fell further down the pecking order after the appointment of Ruben Amorim, who preferred Amad Diallo before he decided to depart the club for regular playing time.
Real Betis won the battle to sign him on loan after several clubs registered their interest in him, he has repaid the club’s faith with stunning performances in his first few games.
Antony has scored in his first three matches for the club in La Liga, including winning the MVP awards in those games.
He has now revealed the secret to his new-found form at Real Betis, while also opening up on his Manchester United exit.
Antony said: “I was playing little, but, as I said, I was working hard every day. I am very grateful for my time in Manchester, where I had difficult moments, but also very good ones. I won two titles [FA Cup, EFL Cup] with United, and I am very happy about that. But here, when I say that I found myself, it’s about happiness.
“I needed to be happy with myself … It’s like us in Brazil.
“The sun also helps a lot, the city, which is here is better, and well, I’m very happy here.”
Antony also heaped special praises on Real Betis coach, Manuel Pellegrini for his smooth adaptation in Spain.
He said: “The confidence he [Pellegrini] has given me is incredible and I am very grateful. Before arriving here, I spoke with the coach, and that gave me a lot of confidence. Not only the coach, but the players too have been very supportive.”
He has enjoyed a fruitful time in Spain, in contrast, Manchester United have slipped to 15th on the Premier League table, struggling to score goals.
Antony has promised Real Betis fans that the best is yet to come.
He said: “It’s very good, but I’m going for more. Yes, I’m very happy to have been the MVP in those three LaLiga games, but, as I said, the most important thing for me is the team, that it wins, that everyone is happy.”
Antony will be hoping to continue his excellent start to life in Spain against Gent on Thursday in the Europa Conference League playoff.
However, his parent club, The Red Devils are struggling for form under Ruben Amorim. He has managed 21 matches since joining United. He has won nine, drawn three and lost nine of those matches, giving him a win rate of 43%.
Manchester United’s tally of 29 points from 25 matches is their lowest at this stage of a Premier League season.