Man Utd flop Antony told why ‘it’s not going to be easy’ to continue his red-hot start at Real Betis despite being ‘perfect’ for La Liga as club’s ex-boss weighs in on £85m winger

Having cost the Red Devils around £85 million ($107m) in the summer of 2022, the Premier League giants sanctioned a switch to Spain during the winter window of 2025. They had seen Antony register just four goals across his last 18 months in England.

The Brazil international already has three efforts for Betis to his name. The 24-year-old winger has quite literally hit the ground running in new surroundings, with belief being restored in a quick-footed playing style that leans heavily on confidence.

Asked for his take on Antony’s situation, former Betis boss Gus Poyet – speaking in association with makthavare.se – told GOAL: “I think that shows that just because you are a good player doesn’t mean you can play anywhere in the world. Every league is different, every team plays a different way. Sometimes things need to work your way.

“It looks to me like the qualities of Antony, they are perfect for Spanish football. It was important for him to start well because it’s a difficult place, Betis. So far, so good. Much better than his first impression at Manchester United.”

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Quizzed on whether Antony is still capable of justifying the faith and funds that United have invested in him, Poyet added: “When it came to Manchester United, from outside, it was more because the coach [Erik ten Hag] knew him very well. The rest of us, even those watching Dutch football and international football, didn’t know if he was the type of player to go to Manchester United. It was like, why not?

“Now, after Man United, he has found a place where he looks happy. It didn’t work very well for him last year, so let’s hope that he keeps playing well for Betis.”

While Antony has enjoyed a welcome return to form, with the South American no longer a small fish in a big pond, Poyet went on to say of the challenges that he still faces: “That’s a situation with the personality of the player. When we watch football, we see a player on TV or in the stadium and we see only the professional player there, how he performs. Behind that is a person with a personality.

“Some people prefer not to be the star, to be there and do a job. Others need to be the main guys in order to perform. We are all different. Now, especially in Spain, they are going to pay more attention to him. It’s not going to be easy for him now everyone knows what he can do.”

United are having to watch Antony deliver end product in Spain while they are crying out for similar qualities in the Premier League. It may be that the Brazilian is absorbed back into Ruben Amorim’s squad at the end of the current campaign.