Man Utd flop Antony makes unusual excuse for poor form at Old Trafford | Football

Manchester United flop Antony has provided an unusual excuse for why he failed to hit the heights expected of him at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian was one of Erik ten Hag’s marquee signings in his first summer at the club, with United splashing out £82million to bring him to the Premier League from Ajax.

But despite a positive start, Antony never fulfilled on his price tag and scored just 12 goals in 96 appearances for United in all competitions.

Having fallen further down the pecking order after the arrival of Ruben Amorim, Antony left the club in January on a loan deal to Spainish side Real Betis.

And the 25-year-old hit the ground running straight away at his new club, scoring three times in his first four games in all competitions.

Discussing his differing fortunes at Betis after his struggles at United, Antony intriguingly claimed that the improved climate in Spain had played a major role in his return to form.

‘The city has also played a lot, which is better [than Manchester] and good here,’ he told Spanish TV.

‘I am very happy here with it. And the sun here helps a lot. You’re every day at noon, awake, listening to yourself, I go to sleep smiling and that’s the most important thing for me.’

However, asked whether he would stay at Betis next season, Antony was less certain.

‘I don’t know, it’s too early to talk about that, as you say, I’m always enjoying every day here, I’m very happy, very content, and well, that’s always the way it is,’ he added.

United manager Amorim, meanwhile, theorised that the physicality of the Premier League had been a large reason why Antony failed to hit the heights hoped of him at Old Trafford.

‘When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot,’ Amorim told TNT Sports. 

‘Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it’s physicality.’

Betis currently cover a minimum of 84 per cent of Antony’s salary, which is in excess of £100,000 per week.

And the club have reportedly already made it clear that they are open to keeping Antony on a permanent deal, while United will now be looking to recoup a portion of the £82 million they spent on signing the winger back in 2022.

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