'Antony's problem was coaching!' - Ruben Amorim & Erik ten Hag blamed for winger’s flop in Man Utd ‘funeral’ as £85m star thrives on loan at Real Betis under ex-City boss

The South American forward managed just four goals through his last 18 months at Old Trafford. He has already registered three since securing a loan switch to Spain during the winter transfer window. Confidence is flowing through the 24-year-old once more.

That is, according to Betis legend Gabino Rodriguez, because he is playing for a coach in ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini that believes in him and the qualities that he has to offer. Rodriguez has told The Sun: “It is obviously a bit too soon for a full assessment, but this footballer has class, no doubt about it. Technically he is a very gifted player. The initial impression is he’s landed on his feet at Betis. He scored in his first game, I can see hunger in him and the fans are very happy.

“Personally I have no doubts that Antony will adapt really well to Pellegrini’s system because the manager likes to play attacking football. Betis continuously go down the wings and Antony is the type of player who suits this coach well. Under another one he would struggle in all aspects, and that’s what happened at United. For me, Antony’s problem wasn’t him, but a coaching one.”

Rodriguez added: “Watching how he has developed in the few matches he’s played so far, I think he’s one for a very distinct kind of coach – and the clearest and closest example is Pellegrini. There are others who take a more defensive approach and focus more on running and marking or covering. They are the ones who tend to have a more direct style and use long balls. Players like Antony completely disappear in those sort of matches.

“I’m told Antony has been well-received in the team and didn’t walk in with an air of superiority just because he came from United. He’s been quite the opposite, very humble, with a real eagerness to work. Things like that are highly valued at Betis. Antony just needed the type of coach who could spark him – and under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim, everything surrounding United looked like a funeral.”

Having escaped the “funeral” at Old Trafford, Antony has been given freedom to express himself at Betis. It remains to be seen what his short and long-term future holds, with there no purchase option in his initial loan agreement – which suggests that he may yet to be welcomed back to England.

Rodriguez signed off by saying on a player that showed in the Netherlands with Ajax what he is capable of when performing at the peak of his powers: “I believe there is no definite buying option to his loan, but if he continues playing at this level, I am sure the club will try and find a way to keep him. The player clearly likes the club and Sevilla is a very welcoming and friendly city. I am sure he is very comfortable here with his family.”