'Antony Seeks Revenge': Pellegrini Opens Up On Brazilian's Man United Tenure

Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini revealed that Brazilian winger Antony sought “revenge" upon his arrival in Spain after struggling at Manchester United.

As Betis prepared for Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea, Antony had found his form, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 25 games since joining the La Liga side on loan in January.

Antony, 25, became the second-most expensive player in United’s history when he transferred from Ajax in 2022 for £81.3 million ($110 million), but he did not meet expectations. The winger managed just one goal for United this season before moving to Spain.

In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil before the Conference League final in Wroclaw, Antony shared that his time at United was so difficult that he went “days without eating." He confided in his brother, saying, “I couldn’t take it anymore."

Pellegrini expressed pride in Antony’s resurgence but credited the forward for his spectacular performances in Spain. “I think that Antony did all that he could do," Pellegrini stated. “I spoke with him before he joined Betis. He told me he wasn’t playing because he was unhappy. He also wanted revenge. At Betis, he achieved what we knew he could."

Pellegrini, who previously managed Real Madrid and Manchester City, acknowledged the challenges of playing under the pressure of such a hefty price tag.

“Antony is a very good player. I am absolutely sure that his time at Betis will help further his career."

Chelsea, two-time European champions, have been favorites to win the continent’s third-tier club competition since the season began. However, Pellegrini, 71, backed his team, which finished sixth in La Liga and is playing in its first European final.

“We don’t believe it is David and Goliath," he said. “I think tomorrow we will have exactly the same opportunity to win the match."

The Chilean coach admitted that early in the competition, he predicted meeting Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, his former assistant at West Ham, in the final.

“I sent a very short message when we started in the group stage, telling him that I saw us in Poland in the final. When we both arrived, I sent another message expressing how happy I was to play the final against him," he shared.

(with agency inputs)