Manchester United fans are patiently waiting for Tuesday night as Ruben Amorim prepares to take on Nottingham Forest.
The international break is over, but Manchester United had no action to speak of over the weekend, having already been dumped out of the FA Cup.
If United fans wanted some football to watch on Sunday night, Antony was in action as Real Betis battled bitter rivals Sevilla.
United winger Antony has been impressing at Betis since making a loan move to Andalusia in January.
Antony helped Betis to victory in their big derby on Sunday, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory.
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Antony didn’t score or grab an assist, but he did test Orjan Nyland with a brilliant left-footed volley in the second half.
The Brazilian has now been praised in Spain, with El Correo rating him at seven out of 10, branding him a ‘rocket’ on the right flank.
“He was a rocket down the wing. He had many balls passed to him so he could face Pedrosa and the first goal of the match came from that wing. In the second half, he didn’t tire of running and trying to score. Nyland saved a shot from him from outside the area,” they added.
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El Desmarque also rated Antony at seven out of 10, suggesting that he was ‘always a nuisance’ despite not having the end product.
“He always offered himself, but in the first half he was somewhat inaccurate. He didn’t really get going in the second half, but it’s true that he was always a nuisance for Sevilla FC’s defense. He caused confusion in Sevilla FC’s defense,” they wrote.
El Pespunte went with a six out of 10 rating but raved about the amount of work Antony put in for the team.
“It was the game for him to show maturity, and he did. At times, he erred on the side of trying to make a difference, but in the end, he put in a very serious and committed performance. He knows what Betis is all about and brings what the team needs. We didn’t see him in front of goal, but his work contributed greatly,” they said.
Isco on Antony performance
This was a solid if unspectacular performance from Antony, but he did more than enough to impress Betis teammate Isco.
As quoted by Diario de Sevilla, Isco suggested that Betis may need to crowdfund a permanent deal for Antony this summer.
Isco admitted that Antony has really surprised everybody at Betis with his ‘humility’, believing that the United winger has helped change the club’s fortunes.
“We’ll have to crowdfund to bring him back for another year,” said Isco.
“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,” he added.
United will surely aim to cash in on Antony this summer, and his fine spell with Betis is certainly making a sale more likely.
Betis fans have been flocking to buy Antony shirts, whilst Antony has been rivalling Lamine Yamal for chances created since his Betis debut.
Isco clearly hopes that Betis can strike a deal to keep Antony for good – even if it takes some donations from supporters in the process.