Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has now warned Antony about the setback the former Manchester United star must overcome ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Antony’s ill-fated Old Trafford spell ended last summer after he sealed his permanent move to Real Betis, following his initial loan period at the club.
The 26-year-old has been able to put his career back on track as a Betis player, with Antony netting 12 times and registering nine assists in 37 matches this season.
However, Antony’s recent blip in form and an injury struggle have rightfully raised concern for Manuel Pellegrini amid the build-up for the World Cup tournament.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker makes bold Marcus Rashford prediction amid Barcelona spell as England’s World Cup campaign looms
Antony celebrates goal during the La Liga match between Real Betis and RCD Mallorca at the Estadio La Cartuja in 2025 in Seville, Spain.
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
What do YOU think of Manchester United’s pre-season schedule for 2026?
Getty Images
Manuel Pellegrini’s ‘a bit of everything’ claim about Real Betis star Antony shows the Man Utd star hitting a key roadblock
Former Manchester United star Antony has not found the back of the net or picked up an assist in his last four La Liga outings under Manuel Pellegrini this season.
However, Antony showed further limitations in the first match in the post-March international break after he was taken off in the 0-0 draw against Espanyol.
More United News
The Man Utd flop only managed 67 minutes before Real Betis boss Pellegrini had to turn to Abde Ezzalzouli for the La Liga match at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
Pellegrini did not play down the reasons why Antony was hooked off in the second half and warned about the Brazilian’s limitations in the short term.
“What’s wrong with him? A bit of everything,” he said after the match, as per Goal.
“First, it’s a physical issue, because he doesn’t train every day. Second, he has pubalgia and if we make him play 90 minutes, it’s very difficult for him to recover for the next game.
“Third, that same pubalgia still gives him some discomfort, but one always expects him to do decisive things as he does.
“We have to continue taking him with great care. I don’t think he is in a position to complete 90 minutes, as I say, because that limits him a lot for the next game.”
READ MORE: Paul Scholes explains why he thinks Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro should be sold at Man Utd
Where will Manchester United finish the league season?
Tell us who finishes where in your top six!
Michael Carrick clapping towards Manchester United fans
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Manuel Pellegrini’s ‘triple whammy’ of reasons is the biggest test for Antony amid his hunt for a Brazil place at the World Cup
Whenever Antony has done well at Betis, it has been weaponised as a beating stick against United for the reasons why he didn’t succeed at the Red Devils.
It has always been a ‘Man Utd problem’ with players, a longstanding myth whenever any former Red Devils player has done better elsewhere from Old Trafford.
However, there are no places for Antony to hide now and both his current injury issues and his run of form are going to place the spotlight on him further.
The former Ajax and Man Utd winger has struggled to crack into the Brazil squad as a regular under Carlo Ancelotti, despite the turnaround of his career at Betis.
Carlo Ancelotti called Antony up for Brazil last summer during the World Cup qualifiers, but the tournament this summer could soon be out of reach for him.
Casemiro is our number one ranked Brazilian to play for Man Utd – Do you agree?
Let's hear your rankings? What would you change about this list?
Man Utd Brazilians ranked
Getty Images
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox