Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony has talked up four highly rated attackers after his recent resurgence in form at La Liga side Real Betis.
Antony completed his move to Real Betis in the January transfer window and the 25-year-old Brazilian signed on a loan deal until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Betis have agreed to cover a large portion of Antony’s Manchester United wages during his time at the Villamarin Stadium under manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Antony has struggled during his time at Old Trafford after the Red Devils landed him for an initial transfer fee of £81.3m from Dutch side Ajax in 2022.
The ex-Ajax ace played under Erik ten Hag at the Eredivisie outfit before he was reunited with the former United manager at the Premier League club.
Antony was unable to find his best form under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and the winger fell further down the United first-team pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
However, the Brazil international has been able to put his career back on track at Betis and Antony has impressed for the Spanish side so far during his loan spell.
Man Utd and Real Betis player Antony asked about his prospects with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup
Antony, who is under contract with Manchester United until 2027, has netted seven times and picked up four assists for Real Betis in 20 matches so far.
The United loanee has become a key player for Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini and Antony’s long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Antony has been capped 16 times for the Brazil international team and the Betis winger has scored two times and picked up two assists for his country.
The former Ajax star’s run of form could put him back in the conversation of securing a place in the Brazil national team ahead of the next World Cup.
Antony made four appearances for Brazil during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the next edition of FIFA’s tournament will be held in North America.
The United player admitted that he faces a challenge of playing for Brazil and singled out the likes of Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Rodrygo and Savinho.
“There are great players like Vinicius, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Savinho… I have a lot of respect for them,” Antony told Universo Valdano on Movistar, as per Goal.
“There have always been very good wingers in Brazil. Wearing the national team jersey is crazy.”
Ruben Amorim was happy to let Antony leave Old Trafford and for the Man Utd star to sign for Real Betis
United manager Ruben Amorim made his feelings clear that he was willing to take the “risk” to let a player like Antony leave when he was short of attacking options.
“We lack a lot of things in the team,” he said in April, as per The Guardian.
“We saw with Milan in the past, a lot of problems – big teams that when you get inside [the club and understand], in one context, it’s really hard.
“And in January we lost Rashford and Antony and we didn’t bring new ones – was a risk.
“But there are things here that are more important than to score 10 more goals this season.
“We are trying to do something that is more important. We can hurt the squad now, but in the future, it is going to help the club. So, we are on that path.”
Real Betis are back in action on Thursday evening for their second-leg UEFA Conference League semi-final clash against Fiorentina.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/0tS39ch