Antony celebrates after beating Real Madrid while on loan at Real Betis
Antony celebrates after beating Real Madrid while on loan at Real Betis
Manchester United winger Antony has hit the headlines again this week thanks to his agent Junior Pedroso.
In an explosive interview with Marca, Pedroso blamed United and Ruben Amorim for his client's poor form which ultimately led him to joining Real Betis in January. Perhaps emboldened by Antony's form in Spain, the agent went on the attack in an unprecedented move.
While it is quick to judge Pedroso's comments as ill-advised,MEN Sport has dissected what he had to say in his blistering interview. Here's what we think he got right, wrong and one big debate that has been raised following it.
Amorim not giving Antony enough prominence - RIGHT
You cannot argue with facts and Pedroso clearly entered the interview having done his research. As mentioned, Antony played just 252 minutes for Amorim before being shifted on loan to the Seville club.
He is right to suggest that is not enough time to gain a full understanding of a player's strengths and how he can benefit a team. However, the argument from Antony's critics would be that Amorim probably had already gained an impression of what to expect from the forward in the two seasons prior to his arrival.
Not having 'physicality' is a superficial argument - WRONG
Weirdly, Pedroso decided to question the notion that his client does not have the physicality to perform in the Premier League. Week in, week out, Antony looked to be too weak to compete with the physical demands of defenders in the English top flight.
It is wrong to suggest this is a merely superficial argument as it is a key component of what is needed to be a success in the Premier League. If you don't possess it, you are always going to struggle.
Devaluing La Liga - RIGHT
While there is an argument to be had that the Spanish top flight is suited to a different style of player, there has been a devaluing of La Liga by the suggestion you can perform there even if you are a 'lesser player'. La Liga is still an incredibly tough division and Antony is proving himself against a good standard of opposition.
As Pedroso mentioned, it was perhaps not the intention of Amorim to disrespect La Liga by shipping a player he deemed to be 'not good enough for the Premier League' there but that's the impression that comes off.
Manchester United winger Antony reacts before being loaned to Real Betis (Image: PA)
Management to blame for his form at United - WRONG
It is laughable to suggest that the management was holding Antony back at United. Pedroso speaks in this interview like his client was a world-beater under Erik ten Hag and that his form changed when Amorim arrived.
The truth is that Ten Hag was his biggest advocate but even he could not get the best out of him at Old Trafford. It was not working for Antony in the Premier League and at some stage the player has to take some responsibility for that.
Players finding success away from United, does that mean players are faultless - THE BIG DEBATE
This is comfortably the biggest debate that Pedroso raised in his interview. He is right that many players leave United and have successful careers away from the football club.
However, surely you have to question why certain players aren't performing almost as soon as they pull on the United shirt. Is it the fact they do not possess the confidence which is needed to be a success at a club where the pressure is so high?
Or is it that they were perhaps not good enough to begin with and that in a pressure cooker scenario, they crumble? Only a poll of the players that have left United could answer that question but undoubtedly it will be the debate Ineos will be having internally ahead of the summer transfer window.
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