Ruben Amorim explains why Antony has thrived after leaving Man Utd | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has claimed that the key factor behind Antony's success during the early stages of his loan spell with Real Betis is the reduced physical demands of La Liga compared to the Premier League.

Antony arrived at Old Trafford under the previous regime, teaming up with Erik ten Hag in 2022 after an eye-watering £82m transfer. However, the 16-cap Brazil international has proven completely ineffective since swapping the Eredivisie for the Premier League.

The 25-year-old has managed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for the Red Devils and quickly became the face of the club's extremely underwhelming recruitment over recent years.

Antony turned out just 14 times for United across the first half of the current campaign and was subsequently sent out on loan during the winter transfer window to rediscover some form, joining Spanish side Real Betis until the end of the campaign.

The former Ajax winger has made a fast start to life in Seville, providing five goal contributions in his opening six matches and leaving United supporters wondering where such form has been during his unsuccessful stint in Manchester.

Antony has performed well since joining Real Betis / Fran Santiago/GettyImages

Amorim may have revealed the answer. When quizzed about the forward's impressive loan spell, he cited the reduced physicality in Spanish football as the key reason behind Antony's success.

Speaking to former United defender Rio Ferdinand for TNT Sports, the Portuguese coach said: "When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot.

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

There could well be truth in Amorim's claim considering Antony often struggled with the tough-tackling approach of Premier League full-backs in individual duels. He only managed to succeed in 44.1% of his dribbles in the league last term - a lower ratio than the majority of his teammates.

United could certainly use Antony in his current state as they look to finish the campaign on a high, with Amad Diallo's season-ending injury leaving them incredibly short of attacking options. They are currently relying on the misfiring forward triumvirate of Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund.