Antony to return to Manchester United? Real Betis star opens up about relationship with coach Amorim

Antony has managed to revive his career during the second half of the 2024–25 season, shining for Real Betis after a difficult stretch at Manchester United. With his loan in Spain set to expire in June, the Brazilian winger addressed his relationship with United’s head coach Ruben Amorim.

Once a highly rated prospect at Ajax, Antony was brought to Old Trafford by Erik ten Hag but struggled to live up to expectations. Off-the-field issues and serious allegations led to a leave of absence from the club, which the winger admitted had a major impact on his performance.

Following Ten Hag’s dismissal, Amorim took over United’s squad in November. Antony soon found himself out of the new manager’s plans, leading to his loan move to Betis. In an interview with ESPN Brazil, Antony opened up about his brief time under Amorim.

“I’ve only had a short time working with Amorim, but he’s a very good coach. A very intelligent coach. United are going through a difficult time at the moment, but he’s a good coach,” Antony stated.

Despite the praise, Antony’s next comments raised questions about his future at Old Trafford: “I had a good relationship with him, but I needed a new challenge and I wish him all the luck in the world in this final stretch of the season.”

According to The Mirror, Manchester United are open to selling Antony this summer, aiming to recover at least $40 million of the $113 million they spent on him in 2022. A sale would help fund Amorim’s squad rebuild and offset potential losses from missing out on European competition.

Antony: Real Betis’ talisman

In contrast to his underwhelming stint at Manchester United, Antony has flourished at Real Betis. Since arriving in January, the club has gone 10-3-3 across all competitions, reaching the UEFA Conference League semifinals and pushing for a Champions League spot.

Key figures at the club—including head coach Manuel Pellegrini, star playmaker Isco, and Antony himself—have expressed interest in continuing the relationship. However, Betis would likely need Champions League qualification and a significant financial effort to make the move permanent, especially with United reportedly against another loan deal.