In a twist that has left Manchester United supporters oscillating between pride and perplexity, Antony Matheus dos Santos – the £81 million enigma who once divided opinion at Old Trafford – has been thrust into the limelight of Spanish football’s elite. The Brazilian winger, currently on loan at Real Betis, has been nominated for La Liga’s Player of the Month award, a stark contrast to his turbulent tenure under Ruben Amorim in Manchester.
A Phoenix in Seville: Antony’s Resurgence Under Manuel Pellegrini
When Antony swapped the drizzle of Manchester for the sun-soaked streets of Seville in January, few could have predicted the immediacy of his impact. Labelled a ‘lost cause’ by sections of the English press during his final weeks at United, the 25-year-old has undergone a metamorphosis at the Benito Villamarín. Deployed as a roaming right-winger in Manuel Pellegrini’s fluid 4-2-3-1 system, Antony has rediscovered the verve that once made him Europe’s most coveted wide threat.
Three league appearances have yielded two goals – including a thunderous near-post finish against Mallorca – and a cleverly disguised assist for Ayoze Pérez in the Andalusian derby versus Granada. His pièce de résistance, however, came in continental competition: a 25-yard curler against Gent in the Europa Conference League that evoked memories of his Champions League heroics for Ajax. “When you give Antony the freedom to create, he becomes unplayable,” remarked Pellegrini post-match. “His confidence is returning, and with it, our belief in his magic.”
La Liga’s Elite Circle: Recognition Amongst Giants
The Player of the Month nomination places Antony in rarefied company. Alongside him are Real Madrid’s galactico Kylian Mbappé, Barcelona’s midfield jewel Pedri, Osasuna’s clinical Ante Budimir, and Athletic Club’s dynamic Oihan Sancet. For a player whose last Premier League goal came 14 months prior, this ascension borders on the surreal.
Social media erupted when La Liga’s official account tweeted: “Antony has been included in La Liga’s Player of the Month candidates with Kylian Mbappé, Pedri, Ante Budimir and Oihan Sancet.” Betis fans, known for their fervent ‘verdiblanco’ passion, flooded replies with green-and-white heart emojis and clips of his silky dribbles. Even former United teammate Lisandro Martínez joined the chorus, commenting: “Hermano, keep shining!”
The Financial Chess Game: Betis’ Bargain, United’s Conundrum
While Antony’s revival warms hearts, it casts an unflattering light on United’s hierarchy. The loan deal, brokered by Ineos’ nascent football operations team, sees Betis covering 84% of his £105,000 weekly wages – a £1.5 million saving for the Red Devils. Yet the absence of a buy clause raises eyebrows. Should Antony maintain this trajectory, his market value could skyrocket, but United retain no mechanism to capitalise.
More puzzling still was the decision not to replace Antony or Marcus Rashford, the latter embarking on an eyebrow-raising loan to Aston Villa. With Amad Diallo – arguably United’s brightest spark this term – now sidelined until May after ankle surgery, the attacking burden falls on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. The duo’s combined tally of five league goals lays bare the gamble Ineos took.
The Amorim Paradox: System or Stubbornness?
Questions linger over whether Antony’s United demise was a matter of mismanagement. Ruben Amorim’s rigid 4-3-3 system demanded inverted wingers to cut inside and press relentlessly – a role Antony struggled with, particularly given his preference to hug the touchline before darting infield. At Betis, Pellegrini grants him licence to roam, often swapping flanks with Assane Diao, creating unpredictable overloads.
“In England, I felt trapped by the structure,” Antony admitted in a recent Marca interview. “Here, they tell me: ‘Antony, play with joy.’ When a coach believes in you, everything changes.”
Fan Sentiment: Pride, Frustration, and Hope
Among the RedMancunian faithful, reactions are torn. Some argue Antony’s form proves he merely needed patience, pointing to Diogo Dalot’s resurgence post-AC Milan loan. Others view it as damning evidence of United’s inability to nurture talent. “It’s bittersweet,” admitted lifelong fan Margaret Cartwright from Salford. “You’re made up for him, but it just shows how broken our environment is.”
As La Liga’s award panel deliberates, one truth is inescapable: Antony’s story is no longer about redemption – it’s a referendum on modern football’s fickle nature. For Betis, he’s a revelation; for United, an expensive ‘what if.’ And for Ruben Amorim? A reminder that sometimes, brilliance isn’t lost – just misplaced.
