Benni McCarthy says expectations were too high on Antony for him to succeed at Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United’s woeful performance in the transfer market over the last decade can be summed up by the signing of Brazilian winger Antony who joined the club for a whopping £80 million in the summer of 2023.

After a disastrous couple of seasons at Old Trafford the forward is now on loan at Real Betis with his United future all but over.

Furthermore, United are unlikely to recoup even half of the eye watering fee with the deal surely having to go down as one of the worst in a long list of recruitment nightmares.

Despite Antony not being up to the required standard to represent United, he has picked up some form in Spain, starting his loan spell well with some eye catching moments.

As reported by ESPN, former United coach Benni McCarthy has spoken on the qualities of the 25-year-old and says he is disappointed things didn’t go as planned for the player in Manchester.

McCarthy praised the forward’s attitude during his time at United and says he has the qualities to succeed at the top level due to his desire to work hard for the team.

“Antony has nice ways about him – he trains well, he’ll really listen to his coaches because he’s willing to learn.

When a concept clicks with him it really clicks, he has skills in abundance and, unlike most players of his ability, he’s always willing to get back and help his defender or to press and rob the ball,” he said.

McCarthy says that Antony’s personality and drive is likely down to his tough upbringing and admits that he clicked with the former Ajax man during his time at the club.

“I recognise his personality because he was born in a favela and I grew up playing with gangsters in the opposition team or on the touchline. He’s got a good nasty streak in him… if you kick him then be prepared to be kicked back,” he said.

Antony was was one of the best players in training sessions according to the South African coach who admits he expected more from the wide man but feels that expectations were too high on a youngster making a big move to the Premier League.

“But I loved watching him in training, taking the mickey out of other players with the ball — he has so much dazzling ability that I was hugely disappointed that, simply because he was young, there were too many expectations and there’s no time to settle-in at United, it looked like he wasn’t going to make it,” he added.

McCarthy now believes the “gifted” attacker is now “showing people his real level” in La Liga and expects him to continue his good form on the continent.

Meanwhile, United are struggling to pick up any consistency under Ruben Amorim and will be hoping for an upturn in form to salvage something from what has been a wretched season to date.

Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images

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