The biggest success story at Manchester United this season is arguably the player who’s no longer at the club, as Antony continues his blinder in Spain.
The latest from Antony was an injury-time winner against Espanyol, a proper golazo that will further endear him to Real Betis form.
Antony’s unstoppable form at Betis is beyond what the most optimistic viewers had predicted and the difference from his days at Old Trafford is stark.
After his latest brilliant display, Antony has hinted that the biggest issue that led to his loss of form at Man Utd had nothing to do with the manager or the club. It was something else entirely.
Antony ‘finds himself’ at Real Betis
So good has Antony been at Betis that people surrounding the club in Spain aren’t even interested in negotiation tactics anymore.
From Joaquin saying he’s willing to ‘kidnap’ Antony to Isco being ready to crowdfund a move for him, it must feel a world’s apart for the player the feeling of being wanted.
He had become the butt of jokes at Man Utd mainly for his transfer fee because, unlike Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho, his attitude was never in question.
That has paid dividends after he left the surroundings that had trapped him in a vicious cycle and he’s now hinted that his real problem with the club was that exact surrounding created by the circus around him.
He thanked the fans in Betis for their support and said he’s someone who likes to feel ‘love’ from the fans, something he sorely lacked at United as he became a relic of Erik ten Hag’s failings.
Antony said: “I have said it in many interviews, I found myself at Real Betis. And the fans have found me too. I’m happy. I was joking with the coach (Pellegrini), saying that I scored a golazo with both of my feet. I am someone who really likes to feel love from the fans. I want to thank them for that.”
Antony needs a permanent transfer
Antony is the biggest example of the transformation a change of surroundings can bring about and whether the Man Utd fans like it or not, his becoming a target trapped him in a vicious cycle.
It is likely that he just associates Man Utd with toxicity now and while the player didn’t help himself much either, he’s showing that there’s quality there if he can feel confident.
It’s why he needs to leave the club permanently regardless of how well he does in Spain because he’ll likely revert to form (bad one at that) if he returns to Old Trafford.
It doesn’t even have to be Betis, although they will try to ensure that it is, but Antony’s form has ensured that he’ll get plenty of interest in Spain otherwise as well, with Atletico Madrid interested.
United shouldn’t look at it as a “what if” scenario and bring him back. They should cash in when his value is at a high and let him flourish elsewhere.
It won’t happen at this club because it’s no longer a skill issue, it’s mainly confidence and the feeling of being wanted.
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