After a turbulent spell at Manchester United, Antony has found new life at Real Betis. The Brazilian winger moved to the Spanish club on loan during the January transfer window, ending a difficult period at Old Trafford that lasted two and a half years.
Antony had made an immediate impact when he first arrived in England, scoring three times in his initial Premier League appearances. However, his form quickly declined, managing only two more league goals in the next 59 matches. Across all competitions, his record since the beginning of the 2023/24 season stood at just four goals in 52 outings.
Betis provided an opportunity for Antony to rediscover his best form, and he has made the most of it. He has already netted in La Liga, finding the back of the net in a recent encounter against Celta Vigo, and added another goal in Betis’ 3-0 victory over Gent in the Conference League.
Confidence and happiness are key to Antony’s revival
Following his latest goal in European competition, Antony spoke about how his surroundings have influenced his performances. “When you are happy, everything comes naturally,” he said in an interview published by El Desmarque. “My head and my heart told me I was going to be happy here.”
His remarks indicate that his time at Manchester United may not have been a positive experience, which could explain his struggles on the pitch. Since joining Betis, he appears to have regained his confidence, benefiting from the faith placed in him by head coach Manuel Pellegrini.
His resurgence aligns with comments previously made by Ruben Amorim, who suggested that Antony’s success hinges on self-belief. “If you remember the Antony at Ajax, he lacks a little bit of confidence to go one-v-one, so he will improve,” the Manchester United boss had stated. “But he’s working really hard, and that will help him to be a better player.”
A possible permanent move
With Antony performing well in Spain, there is growing speculation about a permanent transfer. Real Betis’ CEO, Ramon Alarcon, addressed the possibility of keeping the winger beyond this season.
Speaking to Cadena SER’s Radio Sevilla, Alarcon revealed that Manchester United remains in contact with Betis regarding Antony’s progress. “The other day, the CEO of United called me. We send them all the moves and details of the player throughout the week so that they can see that we are looking after their asset,” he said.
Alarcon also hinted at the potential for a long-term deal. “There is very good chemistry with Manchester [United] and with the player. It is a possibility that he will continue next season, why not?”
If Betis decides to negotiate a transfer, they will need to reach an agreement with Manchester United. However, it is highly unlikely that the English club will recoup the £80m+ fee they paid Ajax for Antony in August 2022.
For now, Antony’s focus will be on maintaining his strong form and helping Betis achieve their goals. If he continues to perform at this level, a permanent switch to Spain could become a realistic outcome.
