Manchester United winger Antony, who is currently on-loan at Real Betis, only failed at Old Trafford because of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim according to former Betis player Gabino Rodriguez.
The Brazilian was a bit-part player at best at United this season but has breathed life into his career after joining the Spanish side this January on loan.
Antony has scored three goals and provided two assists in his first games in the green and white of the Andalusian club.
The Brazil international was at it again yesterday as he ran at the Getafe defence and played a defence-splitting pass that set up Isco to score his side’s first of the match.
This has led to European giants Juventus being linked to a summer move for the former Ajax winger.
In comments carried by The Sun, Rodriguez claimed that Antony clearly has “class” and is a “technically-gifted” player.
He also stated that the winger will only go from strength to strength in Manuel Pellegrini’s system. “Personally I have no doubts that Antony will adapt really well to Pellegrini’s system because the manager likes to play attacking football. Betis continuously go down the wings and Antony is the type of player who suits this coach well.”
“Under another one he would struggle in all aspects, and that’s what happened at United. For me, Antony’s problem wasn’t him, but a coaching one.”
The former Verdiblancos star claimed that Antony’s player profile would struggle under a more defensive manager and one that used more direct long balls and he asserted that “players like Antony completely disappear in those sort of matches.”
He is also said to have adapted well to the dressing room, especially owing to the fact that there are numerous South Americans in Betis’ squad.
Rodriguez went on to criticise United’s past and present coaching staff by claiming “Antony just needed the type of coach who could spark him – and under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorin, everything surrounding United looked like a funeral.”
Sadly, the 25 year old is set to miss Betis’ glamour tie versus Real Madrid next weekend as he received a late red card in last night’s match against Getafe.
Featured image Aitor Alcalde via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
