Real Betis star Giovani Lo Celso has aimed a clear dig at Manchester United and Ruben Amorim following Antony’s difficulties before his Old Trafford exit.
When Erik ten Hag brought Antony to Manchester United in 2022, the winger was seen as the long-term answer on the right wing, especially with Jadon Sancho more comfortable on the left.
Antony enjoyed a strong start, marking his debut with a goal against Arsenal, but his performances soon became inconsistent and truly impactful displays were few and far between.
During the latter part of last season, Ruben Amorim approved a loan move to Real Betis, where the Brazilian rediscovered the form that had originally earned him his switch from Ajax.
On Deadline Day, Antony sealed a permanent transfer back to Betis, with the Spanish side paying around £21 million to secure his services.
Betis star Lo Celso aims clear dig at United
Antony’s summer exit took a long while to materialise and it seemed like Betis were never going to actually pay the cash required to sign him permanently.
The winger was not training with the United squad over the summer and was part of a small group which was seemingly banished from Amorim’s first-team squad.
Now that he has returned to Betis, Antony is reportedly planning to release a documentary on the move and his difficulties when training alone in Manchester.
Antony’s new teammate and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has praised the ex-United star and aimed a clear dig at the Old Trafford club.
“I think his return is important for everyone,” Lo Celso told AS. “It wasn’t an easy summer for him. We know what English clubs are like; they don’t let you train.
“Every time he touches the ball, there’s a sense of danger. He’s direct and contagious.”
Malacia working with United U21s
Antony is fortunately no longer United’s problem. After the summer transfer window, only one player from that ‘bomb squad’ remains at the club for this season.
Tyrell Malacia saw a summer move break down in the final days of the window and he is set to remain at Old Trafford until the January window at the earliest.
The left-back has reportedly been training with the Under-21s squad in recent weeks and has made a positive impression in those sessions.
Malacia will be hoping that he can get game-time with Travis Binnion’s side soon in order to keep fresh ahead of a potential mid-season exit.
Read More: Manchester United add top quality wing-back to January targets, Ruben Amorim ‘very interested’
It doesn’t seem like there’s much chance for him to fight his way back into Amorim’s plans, especially when the club are only playing Premier League football until their FA Cup run begins in early January.
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