“One of best decisions of my life” – Player backs his choice on Manchester United exit

Manchester United’s decision to move Antony on is starting to look clearer when you line it up with what he’s doing at Real Betis.

The Brazilian has quietly put together his most productive run in years. Across all competitions, he has 13 goals and nine assists in 40 games. In La Liga, that breaks down to seven goals and five assists in 26 appearances.

The underlying numbers back it up as well. Antony is averaging 0.54 goal involvements per 90 minutes. He takes 3.08 shots per game and scores once every 9.71 attempts.

On top of that, he produces 2.04 key passes per match and completes 81.61% of his passes from roughly 43 per game.

That is a very different level of involvement compared to what we saw at Old Trafford. At Spain, he has a clearer role and is far more involved in the final third. Real Betis changed his career and his mindset.

All of this comes at a key moment. Brazil’s World Cup squad announcement is getting closer, and Antony is trying to work his way back into the picture.

Betis decision shaping international hopes

Antony has now opened up to ESPN Brazil about both his club situation and his Brazil ambitions. His current situation at Betis clearly plays a big role in that push.

“It was one of the best decisions of my life to stay at Betis,” Antony added. “I am very happy. My family weighed heavily in the decision. Seeing them happy is important.”

“It makes things lighter on the pitch when the family is well”, he concluded.

He was part of the squad for the last World Cup under Tite, but has not featured much under Carlo Ancelotti so far. Even so, he is not giving up on making the next one.

“My biggest dream is to play in the World Cup, but I have to do my part, my work, the national team is a consequence,” he said.

“I really want to return, to play in my second World Cup. It is always my objective to wear the national team shirt.”

Life without Antony

Antony sounds like someone very settled in Spain, and not a player looking back at Manchester United.

But he feeling likely goes both ways. United have moved on without him and, given how things unfolded, they hardly miss him either. The team has changed, and Antony’s role was never fully nailed down during his time in England.

That said, his current numbers do underline that there is still a player there. At Betis, he looks more confident, more involved, and more decisive.

It is another case of a player who needed a different setting to show his best level. For Antony, the timing is ideal. He has given himself a real chance to get back into the Brazil conversation just when it matters most.