Manchester United find themselves in a peculiar situation as their £86 million signing, Antony, experiences a remarkable resurgence at Real Betis. The Brazilian winger’s swift adaptation to Spanish football has left many at Old Trafford scratching their heads, wondering what might have been.
Antony’s loan move to Betis in January was seen as a necessary step to rejuvenate his career after a challenging two-year stint at United. The impact has been immediate and impressive. In just three appearances, he’s already bagged two goals, including a stunning strike in the Europa Conference League against Gent that had fans and pundits alike singing his praises.
The contrast between Antony’s performances in Manchester and Seville is stark. At United, he struggled to justify his hefty price tag, managing just 14 goals and 7 assists in 99 appearances across all competitions. In Spain, however, he’s already won a Man of the Match award on his debut and followed it up with goals in consecutive matches.
This sudden transformation has not gone unnoticed. Real Betis’ official social media accounts have playfully dubbed Antony “La Cabra” – The Goat – while his teammates are equally effusive in their praise. Giovani Lo Celso, for instance, has been raving about the Brazilian’s impact on the previously struggling Betis side.
Antony himself attributes his improved form to a simple factor: happiness. “When you are happy, everything comes naturally,” he stated after his impressive showing against Gent. This sentiment raises questions about the environment at Old Trafford and whether it’s conducive to bringing out the best in players.
United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, addressed the issue of players flourishing after leaving Old Trafford in a recent press conference. He offered a nuanced perspective:
“Sometimes it’s like that, it can happen with any club. This club has a lot of pressure, and you have to have a base of a team to put younger and talented players that came from abroad to help them. If you are playing better as a team, and you have a strong core like it’s supposed to be at this club, it will be more easy for these kind of players to play football.”
Amorim’s words hint at systemic issues within the club that may be hindering player development. The pressure cooker environment of Old Trafford, combined with a lack of a stable team core, could be factors in the struggles of high-profile signings like Antony.
However, it’s crucial to maintain perspective. Antony’s current form, while impressive, is based on a small sample size. His time at United was characterised by flashes of brilliance interspersed with long periods of inconsistency. In fact, he started his United career in similar fashion, becoming the first player in 50 years to score in his first three league games for the club.
The real test for Antony will be sustaining this level of performance over an extended period. His statistics at Betis, beyond the goals, don’t suggest a drastic improvement in his overall game. The sustainability of his current form remains a question mark.
For Manchester United, the Antony situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in high-profile transfers. It underscores the need for a robust support system and a stable team environment to help talented players acclimatise and thrive.
As Antony continues to impress in Spain, United must resist the temptation of revisionism. Instead, they should focus on addressing the underlying issues that have seen multiple promising players struggle to meet expectations at Old Trafford.
The Antony conundrum is not just about one player’s form; it’s a reflection of broader challenges facing Manchester United as they strive to reclaim their position at the pinnacle of English and European football.
