Ruben Amorim set the narrative at the start of the pre-season this year by exiling a number of members of the Man Utd squad.
Most of them ended up finding a way out of the club, leaving Tyrell Malacia in an unfortunate position after multiple failed deals.
It looks like Malacia will return to Man Utd, effectively winning the battle of attrition, although how involved he is with the first-team remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, another player who spent that time in exile with Malacia hasn’t been that gracious, coming out swinging about how disrespected he felt by the club’s treatment.
Antony of Real Betis warms up before the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Betis Balompie and CA Osasuna at Estadio La Cartuja on September 28, 2025
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim and Man Utd called out by Antony
By and large, the players who were part of the exiled group were mainly there for instances of unprofessionalism or perceived lack of effort in training.
Malacia was not, and neither was Antony, since his was the case of the head being elsewhere due to his fierce determination to join Real Betis.
He got his wish on deadline day after multiple twists and turns, but his behaviour since then has validated Amorim keeping him away from the team.
From taking shots at United to impress Betis, to painting himself as the poor victim of a club’s effort to ostracise him, he has taken every opportunity to stomp on United.
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The most confrontational claim has come now, via El Desmarque, who quote Antony as saying, “They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in the hotel, training separately… I feel like they disrespected me, but that’s not the point.
“I don’t want to create controversy; that’s life. I’m very grateful for the club; there were bad times, but also good times, with two titles.”
Amorim’s legacy will be a cultural reset
Unlike managers like Erik ten Hag or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there isn’t a single academy graduate who can personify Amorim’s time at Old Trafford.
However, regardless of what happens to him from here on, his legacy will be the most important of all because he has managed to achieve a cultural reset.
By getting rid of players like Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho, Amorim has ensured that even if he doesn’t succeed, those who come after will be well-placed to walk into a more professional dressing room.
Antony’s comments since leaving United, or Sancho’s comments while he was on loan at Villa speak of players who wouldn’t think twice about airing the dirty laundry of the club.
Ineos have to be given equal credit as Amorim in achieving this, but a strong man was needed for a reset, which he has done.
Antony felt disrespected, but he basically disrespects the club every time he speaks negatively about it even when he isn’t asked specifically.