Spanish media react to dazzling Antony display as ex-Man Utd star scores brace for Real Betis

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Manchester United winger Antony continues to impress in Spain having waited all summer to join Real Betis.

Manchester United earned £21m from Antony’s sale to Real Betis on deadline day after a tiring transfer saga that essentially lasted all summer.

Antony thrived on loan at Real Betis last season, and the Brazilian only ever wanted to return to the La Liga club.

After his exit, Antony claimed United ‘disrespected’ him throughout the transfer saga. He was one of several players told to train separately from the first-team squad after making it clear he wanted to leave.

The 25-year-old endured a fairly slow start to the season, but it is now bursting into life.

Antony scores Real Betis brace vs Mallorca

Antony failed to score or assist in any of his four opening La Liga matches this season, but finally opened his account with two goals against Villarreal in October.

Just two weeks later, he was back on the scoresheet for Betis with a brilliant brace in a 3-0 win over Mallorca.

Betis have now climbed to fifth in the La Liga standings, meaning Antony and his teammates are currently in the race for Champions League qualification.

After the full-time whistle, Antony was disappointed to miss out on scoring a hat-trick for his side.

“I’m very happy with the two goals and the assist, and it’s a shame the third didn’t come. I had space and controlled it, but the goalkeeper did very well,” Antony said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Spanish media rave about Antony display vs Mallorca

The performance against Mallorca was Antony’s best of the season, with the Brazilian playing a major part in all three goals.

After the full-time whistle, Spanish media gave Antony the praise he deserved, with AS writing that he “dazzled everyone” with his performance.

Estadio Deportivo gave Antony a rating of 9/10, the highest of any player on the pitch.

READ MORE: Antony says Man Utd teammate made plea with him to stay at Old Trafford and turn down exit

They added: “His quality is absolutely crucial, which is why Betis made a significant investment in him this summer. He threatened from the wings before cutting inside, playing two one-twos with Cucho and Bellerin, which culminated in two very different shots: one a low, parallel effort and the other a curling effort into the far corner.

“As if that weren’t enough, he provided the assist for the third goal with a precise pass to Abde.”