Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini claims that Antony has “matured significantly” since bringing his Manchester United nightmare to a close and securing a permanent transfer to Andalusia. The Brazil international forward became a big-money flop at Old Trafford, but has rediscovered a lost spark in Spanish football and bagged a brilliant brace against Villarreal in his latest outing.

Antony has opened up about the darkest phase of his career at Manchester United, recalling how he was sidelined to train alone at Carrington and even missed his son’s first steps. Yet through it all, faith, family, and belief in destiny kept him focused, helping him rebuild and thrive again at Real Betis.

Antony has accused Manchester United of "rudeness" during his time at Old Trafford, with a forgettable stint in English football being brought to a close when completing a permanent transfer to Real Betis. The Brazil international linked up with the Red Devils in 2022 when completing a big-money move from Ajax, but struggled to produce his best with the Premier League heavyweights.

Antony claims to have been “disrespected” by Manchester United before his summer transfer to Real Betis was completed. The Brazil international enjoyed a productive loan spell with the Liga outfit over the second-half of last season and made it clear that a return to Andalusia was his preference. The Red Devils did not make that process easy, with Antony taking to holing up in a hotel at one stage as he endeavoured to push a deal through.

Real Betis opened their Europa League account with a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The Andalusian outfit had Antony to thank as his late equaliser denied Forest all three points. Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo hailed the Brazilian's impact and even went so far as to say that the Manchester United flop might be the club's most important signing ever.