Manchester United attacker Antony has insisted that he has "a good relationship" with Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim, but a reunion between the two this summer is not believed to be on the cards.
Antony was involved under Amorim in the first half of the 2024-25 campaign, but the Brazil international was allowed to leave on loan in January, and he has made a strong impression during his time at Real Betis.
The 25-year-old has scored four goals and registered four assists in 16 appearances for Real Betis in all competitions, and the Seville outfit are keen to sign him on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window.
As it stands, Antony will head back to Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, but he is not expected to be at the club next term, with a permanent departure this summer seen as likely.
Amorim recently claimed that Antony's 'lack of physicality' saw him struggle in English football.
"When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don't have physicality, you will struggle a lot," he 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."
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Antony insists he has "a good relationship" with Amorim
Antony has branded Amorim "a very good coach" and insisted that he had no issues with the Portuguese, but he simply required a change after finding it difficult to make his mark at Old Trafford.
"I've only had a short time working with [Amorim], but he's a very good coach. A very intelligent coach. United are going through a difficult time at the moment, but he's a good coach," Antony told ESPN Brazil. "I had a good relationship with him, but I needed a new challenge and I wish him all the luck in the world in this final stretch of the season."
Meanwhile, when asked about Erik ten Hag, who managed him at both Ajax and Man United, Antony said: "Erik ten Hag is a coach I'm very grateful to. He helped me a lot in the Netherlands, and in England too, even though the opportunities didn't come the way I wanted to.
"But that's the coach's choice, I don't hold any grudges or anything. On the contrary, I'm very grateful for everything he's done with me, for all the conversations too. He's a coach who will certainly be in this story because he helped me a lot."
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Will Antony join Real Betis permanently this summer?
Real Betis are in the mix to secure Champions League football for next season, currently sitting sixth in the La Liga table, three points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, and that would give the club a huge financial boost.
It is believed that Man United want around £40m for the Brazilian this summer, but there have been suggestions that a swap deal could be agreed, with Jesus Rodriguez thought to be on the English club's radar.
Rodriguez, 19, is also allegedly being tracked by Chelsea and Liverpool, but Man United could have the edge when it comes to a potential deal for the attacker, who has scored nine times and registered three assists in 36 appearances for Real Betis in all competitions.
Matt Law
