Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has suggested that the key factor behind Antony’s improved performance during his loan spell at Real Betis is the less physically demanding nature of La Liga compared to the Premier League.
Antony joined Manchester United in 2022 under Erik ten Hag for a hefty £82m, but the 25-year-old winger has struggled to make an impact since his move from Ajax. In 96 appearances for United, he managed just 12 goals and five assists, quickly becoming emblematic of the club’s underwhelming recruitment in recent years.
The Brazil international featured only 14 times for United in the first half of this season before being loaned out to Real Betis in the winter transfer window to rediscover his form. Since moving to Spain, Antony has hit the ground running, contributing five goals and assists in his first six matches, leaving United fans questioning why he couldn’t replicate this form at Old Trafford.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
Amorim, who has worked with Antony, may have an explanation. When asked about Antony’s strong start in Seville, he pointed to the reduced physicality of La Liga as the key reason behind his success. Speaking to former United defender Rio Ferdinand for TNT Sports, Amorim said: “When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot. Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors, but I guarantee you it’s physicality.”
Amorim’s assessment seems credible, considering Antony’s struggles against the intense physicality of Premier League defenders. Last season, he succeeded in only 44.1% of his dribbles in the league—lower than most of his teammates.
Manchester United could certainly use the form Antony is showing at Real Betis, especially with Amad Diallo out for the rest of the season due to injury, leaving the team with limited attacking options. The club is currently depending on a misfiring trio of Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Rasmus Hojlund to deliver results.
