Antony’s sensational start to life at Real Betis continued on Thursday night with the on-loan Manchester United star on the score sheet yet again.
The £85million signing left Old Trafford on loan during the January transfer window, joining Betis on loan until the end of the season.
Antony’s last 18 months have widely been regarded as a disaster but the Brazil international has hit the ground running in Spain, scooping the Man of the Match award on his debut, winning the award again and scoring in his second appearance.
He was in the starting XI on Thursday night with Betis taking on Gent in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off.
With the game goalless at the break, Antony produced a piece of magic two minutes into the second period. Cutting in from the right onto his left foot, the former Ajax star curled a precise effort into the far corner from the edge of the box, beating the goalkeeper to give his side the lead.
After wheeling away in celebration, Antony tellingly pointed to the Betis badge on his shirt with the La Liga side having already opened the door to making the loan move permanent.
United fans meanwhile were left scratching their heads as the winger regarded as one of their worst ever signings continued to shine for his new side.
‘You can’t help but laugh. Are we the problem?’ @United_Agenda wrote, sentiments echoed by a number of supporters on X.
‘What is wrong with us?’ UTDRoger added with another writing: ‘This just confirm to me even more how extremely toxic man united club is, am happy for Antony’.
Antony enjoyed a similarly prolific start to his United career, scoring in his first three games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton. The winger also scored a memorable winner against Barcelona in a Europa League play-off.
He scored just three times in a disastrous second season in Manchester, however, starting just three matches in all competitions this term before being shipped out in January.
The loan deal that took Antony to Betis does not include an option or obligation to buy but the Spanish outfit have already indicated they will be keen to make it happen.
Asked whether Betis would look to keep Antony at the club long-term, club chief Ramon Alarcon told Cadena Ser’s Radio Sevilla: ‘I think so.
‘The other day the CEO of United called me. We sent them all the moves and details of the player throughout the week so that they can see that we are looking after their asset.
‘There is very good chemistry with Manchester [United] and with the player. It is a possibility that he will continue next season, why not?’
