Antony Reveals the Key to His Revival at Real Betis After Struggles at Manchester United
Manchester United fans have been left stunned as Antony finally breaks his silence on the struggles that plagued his time at Old Trafford. The Brazilian winger, who arrived from Ajax in a staggering £85 million deal, never quite lived up to expectations under Erik ten Hag. However, since joining Real Betis on loan in January, he has rediscovered his best form, delivering goals, assists, and performances that have reignited his career.
Now, in a candid interview, Antony has revealed the one major change he made at Betis that has transformed his game. So, what did he stop doing in Spain that was holding him back in England?
Antony’s Honest Admission
Speaking to Globo Esporte, Antony admitted that his predictable playstyle was a major reason for his struggles at United.
“I was too predictable at Manchester United,” Antony confessed. “I kept trying the same moves, and Premier League defenders quickly figured me out. I wasn’t adapting, and that made me easy to stop. Here at Betis, the coaches told me to stop being so rigid. They encouraged me to trust my instincts and play with more freedom.”
Under Manuel Pellegrini, Antony has been given the freedom to be unpredictable—switching flanks, mixing up his dribbling patterns, and being more spontaneous. The result? A revitalized version of the player United fans thought they were signing in 2022.
Why Didn’t It Work at Manchester United?
Many have speculated that Antony’s struggles at Old Trafford were a combination of:
✅ Tactical rigidity under Erik ten Hag
✅ The pressure of his massive price tag
✅ A lack of confidence after early struggles
✅ Over-reliance on cutting inside onto his left foot
At Real Betis, he has been encouraged to break free from those habits—and it’s paying off. In just a few games, he has already outscored his entire season at United.
“I feel lighter here,” Antony added. “At United, I felt like I had to prove myself every single game, and that pressure affected my decisions. Here, I’m just playing football again, and you can see the difference.”
What’s Next for Antony?
With his loan spell at Betis proving to be a success, the big question remains: Does Antony have a future at Manchester United?
Some fans believe he deserves another chance if he can carry this form into next season, while others think his struggles in England were too damaging for a comeback.
For now, Antony’s focus remains on Betis. But if he continues to shine in Spain, United may soon regret letting him go so easily.
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