Antony leaves door open for Manchester United return after making Real Betis transfer declaration | OneFootball

The Brazilian has netted three goals in four appearances since his January move

Antony says he has rediscovered himself after leaving Manchester United.

Antony joined La Liga outfit Real Betis during January transfer window on loan for the remainder of the season and has enjoyed a great start to life in Spain.

Scoring for the third straight game in Sunday's 3-0 league win against over Real Sociedad, the Brazilian has revealed that he is happy again.

"For me it was very important to start well," Antony told RTV Betis as reported in Estadio Deportivo. "I found myself again. When we are happy, when we work happy, things come naturally.

"Every day I wake up smiling and I go to sleep smiling, and that for me is the most important thing."

Antony was allowed to depart Old Trafford after a largely disappointing spell following his £85million transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022.

Although, with no reported option for a permanent deal in his Real Betis loan agreement, the forward has made sure to not burn any bridges with his parent club.

"I was playing little, but, as I said, I was working hard every day," Antony added. "I am very grateful for my time in Manchester, where I had difficult moments, but also very good ones.

Antony celebrates scoring for Real Betis against Gent

BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

“I won two titles [FA Cup, EFL Cup] with United, and I am very happy for that. But here, when I say that I found myself, it's about the happiness.

"I needed to be happy with myself ... It's like us in Brazil.

"The sun also helps a lot, the city, which here is better, and well, I'm very happy here."

Antony, who scored for Real Betis in their 3-0 win over Gent last week, is on course for a swift return to England.

As Betis finished 15th in the league phase of the Conference League they will face either Chelsea or Vitoria SC in the last-16 should they avoid a slip-up in their knockout phase playoff tie.