Manchester United winger Antony spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Betis before making the deal permanent in the summer transfer window
Antony managed to complete his move to Real Betis towards the end of the summer transfer window after requesting to leave Manchester United
Antony managed to complete his move to Real Betis towards the end of the summer transfer window after requesting to leave Manchester United
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Manchester United winger Antony has revealed that his compatriot Matheus Cunha urged him to stay at Old Trafford before his permanent switch to Real Betis.
Antony was Erik ten Hag's marquee signing but his performances did not match his £85m price tag. When Ten Hag was eventually sacked in October 2024, the Brazilian's time in Manchester appeared to be nearing an end.
Ruben Amorim's appointment near enough sealed his fate with the new system at United not conducive to wingers. By January, Amorim had sealed a loan move for Antony to Real Betis and this managed to revitalise his career.
The winger bagged nine goals and five assists in Spain as he helped his team reach the final of the Conference League. At the end of the season, Antony returned to Manchester and informed the club that he wished to leave.
Despite this, Antony has revealed that Cunha, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the beginning of the summer transfer window, urged the Brazilian to stay. "Matheus Cunha wanted me to play there with him, but the situation was already very difficult," he told AS.
Matheus Cunha has yet to bag his first goal or assist for Manchester United
Matheus Cunha has yet to bag his first goal or assist for Manchester United
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"I have a lot of affection for him." At one stage, it did not seem clear that Antony would leave United but eventually a deal was struck with Betis.
While negotiations continued with the La Liga club, Antony was forced to train away from his teammates at Carrington. Reflecting on that situation, Antony added: "I didn’t speak much with Ruben Amorim; there wasn’t much contact.
"His decision to allow me to train separately was a given. But I had to respect it.
"Today I’m fine. I took care of myself by training well even though I was apart.
"After three months, I played 90 minutes, and that’s the result of what I was working on." Since moving back to Spain, Antony has recorded a goal and an assist which came in the same game as Real Betis drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in the Europa League.
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