Antony’s Agent Disagrees with Manchester United’s Amorim
In the world of football, opinions are as varied as the fans who follow the sport. Recently, a new chapter unfolded in the ongoing saga of Brazilian winger Antony, who has been at the center of a debate between his agent and Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim. The crux of the matter? Amorim’s assertion that Antony lacks the physicality required to thrive in the Premier League.
Antony, who made a high-profile move to Real Betis on a six-month loan from United in January, has had a mixed journey since his £85 million ($109m) transfer from Ajax in 2022. During his time with the Red Devils, he managed to score only 12 goals in 96 appearances. This statistic has fueled discussions about his performance and suitability for the English game.
Amorim, who took over the coaching reins at United in November, has been vocal about Antony’s struggles, attributing them to the physical demands of the Premier League. However, Antony’s agent, Júnior Pedroso, has a different perspective. In a recent interview with Marca, Pedroso expressed his disagreement with Amorim’s analysis, stating, “Associating Antony’s lack of success at Manchester United solely with the issue of his physique is a very superficial argument and does not correspond to reality.”
Pedroso further elaborated on his stance, suggesting that Antony was not given a fair chance to prove his worth under Amorim’s management. “The truth is that Antony has not had enough prominence or the confidence necessary to display his best football,” Pedroso said. He pointed out that out of the 15 games Amorim managed Manchester United, Antony was used in only nine, accumulating a total of 252 minutes played. This amounts to just 18.6% of the total possible minutes (1,350 minutes). Pedroso questioned, “How can you judge an athlete without enough time for him to demonstrate his worth?”
Antony himself has acknowledged that his move to Betis was what his career needed after a challenging stint at Old Trafford. Since joining Betis, Antony has been a revelation, scoring two goals and providing two assists in just five LaLiga appearances. His agent, Pedroso, highlighted the positive impact of this move, saying, “It has been an incredible experience for both him and his family. It seems that he has been at Betis for years, so natural has his adaptation been. He feels completely comfortable in Seville and is delighted with the city and the club. All this reinforces that the decision was absolutely correct.”
Pedroso also praised the environment at Betis, noting that “LaLiga was the ideal destination … Betis is a competitive team, that has a style of play that adapts well to Antony’s qualities and an experienced coach like Manuel Pellegrini, who knows how to make the most of attacking players.”
- Antony’s loan to Betis did not include an option for a permanent transfer.
- Betis has expressed interest in keeping Antony beyond the loan period.
- Antony’s contract with Manchester United runs until June 2027.
As the football world watches Antony’s progress in Spain, the question remains: will he return to Manchester United, or will Betis secure his services for the long term? For now, Antony seems to be thriving in LaLiga, and his agent’s confidence in his abilities is unwavering. The debate over his physicality and performance in the Premier League may continue, but one thing is clear: Antony is determined to make his mark, wherever he plays.
Originally Written by: Adriana Garcia
