2 days Ago
Real Betis will need to “crowdfund” to keep Antony beyond his half-season loan from Manchester United, team-mate Isco has suggested. Former Real Madrid midfielder Isco was full of praise for arguably the most expensive flop in United’s history after watching him play a lead role in Betis’s 2-1 derby win over Sevilla on Sunday. “We’ll have to crowdfund to bring him back for another year,” Isco was quoted as saying by Diario de Sevilla .
He added: “He’s surprised us all with his humility and the way he helps us. There’s been a change since he arrived, and we have to keep doing things right.” Spanish media have been impressed with Antony and El Correo said he was a “rocket” in the win over Sevilla.
“In the second half, he didn’t tire of running and trying to score. [Orjan] Nyland saved a shot from him from outside the area,” it said, awarding Antony seven out of 10 in its match ratings. El Desmarque said that Antony was “always a nuisance” while El Pespunte said: “He put in a very serious and committed performance.
” Antony became the latest player to flourish after escaping from United when the former £86 million man scored three times in his first four appearances for Betis. That helped the Brazilian equal his goal contributions from his last 29 games for United in less than a third of the playing time. The goals have dried up since − he has just one in his last eight matches − and he was also sent off at Getafe, although Betis successfully appealed against a subsequent suspension.
But his overall performances have continued to draw praise and he has been among the top performers in Spain in terms of chances created since his move. Anthony’s revival since leaving the United cauldron has mirrored that of Scott McTominay, who has been a revelation since his £35 million move to Napoli at the end of August. The midfielder has scored seven times in just 28 appearances − averaging a goal every four games − to help propel his new club to second place in Serie A.
The academy graduate managed 29 goals in 255 matches (a goal every nine games) before leaving Manchester. This season’s other major United castaway, Marcus Rashford, scored his first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday in their FA Cup quarter-final win at Preston North End. Antony, McTominay and Rashford are not the first to find a new lease of life after escaping Old Trafford in recent years.
Last season Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho flourished after leaving on loan for Getafe and Borussia Dortmund, respectively. Greenwood has since gone on to fire Marseille into third place in Ligue 1 since signing last summer for £26.6million, although Sancho’s £20-25million move to Chelsea has been less successful.
But given his previous poor performances on the biggest stage after joining United from Ajax in August 2022, Antony’s exploits in Spain could top all that. His Old Trafford career has been blighted by accusations he assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin, in both the UK and his native Brazil and Telegraph Sport has been told he remains under investigation by Greater Manchester Police. In August, it emerged that police in São Paulo had found insufficient evidence to charge the forward − who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing − with any crime.
Antony’s lawyers said in a statement at the time: “The defence of footballer Antony Matheus dos Santos, in light of the news published by the press this Tuesday (08/20/24), publicly confirms that the police investigation conducted by the fifth women’s police precinct of São Paulo Civil Police, has been closed without police indictment. “The defence always believed that the investigations, which were conduct [sic] under seal, would demonstrate Antony’s innocence.” Antony is due to return to Old Trafford this summer, with his loan deal to Betis currently not including an option to buy.
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