Antony nets stunner as red-hot La Liga run continues

You never truly appreciate what you've got until it's gone, as the old saying goes. Therefore, one has to wonder what's been going through Ruben Amorim's mind in the past fortnight, as his Manchester United squad keeps failing to find the net, while on-loan United winger Antony is enjoying a spectacular goal spree for his new club.

For the third consecutive game Antony hit the target for Real Betis, this time against nine-man Real Sociedad in a 3-0 win on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Brazilian followed up strikes against Celta Vigo and Gent with a brilliant volley from just inside the box to open his side's account against La Real at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Antony then set up Marc Roca for the third goal, as Betis coasted to a victory that helped it climb to eighth in La Liga. He had earlier won a penalty, too, which was missed by Giovani Lo Celso.

With his latest goal for Betis, Antony has equaled his tally for the entirety of the 2023-24 season with United, and is two scores away from matching his total for the whole of his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford.

Since joining the Seville-based club on loan in January from the struggling former Premier League champion, Antony has made four appearances in all competitions.

He has been named Player of the Match in all three of his La Liga outings, against Athletic Club, Celta and La Real, while also impressing against Gent in the Europa Conference League.

"I'm really happy with the game we had today," Antony told reporters after Sunday's match. "We knew it was really important to win and keep going to pick up confidence."

Confidence is something the forward doesn't seem to be lacking in La Liga.

"I think the most important thing is to be happy," Antony told DAZN when asked for the secret to his dazzling form since arriving in Spain.

"I am (happy) here. Things are coming off naturally. I am really happy to score and help the team. I don't have any (goal targets), I am just working hard. I am focused, happy and enjoying every day."

His blistering form has not gone unnoticed back in Manchester, with fans taking to social media to air their views on the loan deal after United's latest defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. One declared: "Looks like United binned the wrong players." While another questioned, "you have to ask what's wrong at United."

It may not all be bad news, with Antony's agent Junior Pedroso saying that a return to Old Trafford is likely in July.

"Antony respects Amorim a lot, for sure," he told Givemesport.com. "There may still be a few more chapters in his story with United."

However, the La Liga side is keen to extend the Brazilian's stay, with CEO Ramon Alarcon this week saying it is "a possibility".