Antony, a loanee from Manchester United, contributed another goal to his Real Betis total on Thursday by helping his team score the first goal in their UEFA Conference League 2-2 tie with Vitoria SC.

The 25-year-old winger, who has three goals and three assists in just eight games since joining Betis on loan from United in January, has been rejuvenated.

Following his £85 million move from Ajax in the summer of 2022, Antony struggled at Old Trafford and ended up on the perimeter under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. This led to his temporary relocation to Spain.

Despite being the Red Devils’ second-most expensive acquisition ever, Antony only managed 12 goals and five assists in 96 games.

Betis has qualified for Europe thanks to his La Liga efforts, which included a thrilling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid over the weekend.

On Thursday, Antony contributed to the goals once more, helping Cedric Bakambu and Betis draw the first leg of their Conference League last-16 matchup with Vitoria SC.

Antony headed the ball to Bakambu after it was crossed into a packed box. Bakambu outstrengthened his defender and fired in from close range.

Even though it wasn’t the most glamorous of assists, they all matter.

In addition to his goal contributions, Antony’s impressive efforts at Betis have earned him three Player of the Match honors in eight appearances.

However, when the United manager implied that Antony’s recent form was because of the lower physical demands in La Liga, his agent Junior Pedroso retaliated.

“There is physicality when you play against any team in England,” Amorim remarked. You will struggle greatly if you lack physicality.

Now that he’s in Spain, Anthony is considerably better. There are many reasons for that, but I can assure you that it has to do with physically.

Pedroso disagreed with the Portuguese’s position and responded sharply to Amorim’s remarks in an interview with Marca.

“We do not agree with Ruben Amorim’s point of view at all, but we respect his opinion,” Pedroso stated.

“It is a superficial analysis that does not align with reality to attribute Antony’s failure at Manchester United to a physical factor.”

Pedroso also chose to blame the culture and circumstances at Manchester United for the players’ failures.

“Many players who struggle at United go on to succeed at other clubs, which begs the question of whether the players themselves are the real issue,” he continued.

According to Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon, Antony has stated that he wants to remain with the team in the long run.

Despite paying 84% of Antony’s salary, Betis does not have the option to purchase him as part of their loan agreement.

Alarcon said on Canal Sur’s El Pelotazo show, “Antony told me the other day that he wanted to stay another year.”

“The player is really at ease here and was taken aback by the amenities we provided him to get settled in the city right away.”