Manchester United loanee Antony can create European football history that may never be matched

Manchester United loanee Antony is two matches away from making history, but will need the Red Devils’ help to enter the record books.

The Brazilian is on the verge of becoming the first player ever to win two European medals in the same season after a stunning revival in Spain.

The 25-year-old’s career appeared to be at a crossroads following his high-profile struggles since following Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford.

A goal on his debut against Arsenal in September 2022 proved to be a huge false dawn for the £85million winger.

United’s second most expensive signing in their history managed just 11 more goals over the next two years and became the poster boy for the club’s failures in the transfer market.

He was rated a 2/10 by talkSPORT’s Darren Bent, named by Tony Casacrino as his ‘flop of the season’ and they were far from alone.

United legend Andy Cole said Antony drove him ‘absolutely mad’, Paul Scholes called him a ‘clown’ for his showboating antics, and Gary Neville labelled him ‘embarrassing’.

Following Ruben Amorim’s arrival in October, Antony fell further down the pecking order in Manchester and played just 252 minutes.

However, he joined LaLiga side Real Betis in January on a short-term loan until the end of the season and his turnaround since has been remarkable.

Antony has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 21 appearances and played a vital role in Los Verdiblancos reaching the Europa Conference League final.

The former Ajax star will line up for Betis against Chelsea, while his parent club, Man United, battles Tottenham in the Europa League final.

Should both results go Antony’s way, then he would become the first player in history to win two European medals in the same season.

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The Brazilian played in four Europa League matches for Man United on their road to the final, while was an unused substitute for three games.

Since joining Betis he has played eight times in the Conference League, and even got a goal and assist to help them past Fiorentina in the semi-finals.

Antony opened the scoring by beating ex-United goalkeeper David De Gea with a curling in a free-kick off the post, before setting up Abde Ezzalzouli for his tie-winning goal in extra-time.

Not that his appearances matter all that much – UEFA‘s rules for qualifying for a medal differ from the appearance quota in the Premier League.

Rather than the league requirement for a player to make five appearances to qualify for a medal, Europe’s governing body instead provides 50 gold medals to the winning team in the Europa League and Conference League to distribute as they wish.

Betis are desperate to make his signing permanent after his late-season heroics and performances Man United fans have been shocked to witness.

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However, Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon revealed that if Antony were to continue playing for them next season, it would likely be in the form of another loan – if not they will explore alternative wingers.

“We’ll see when summer arrives if there’s an option to bring him in for another year,” he said.

“If not, we’ll have to look for someone else, because the important thing is really to be a team player. If it’s not Antony, it will be someone else, but we have to keep competing.

“Manchester now knows, and the player knows, that he’s happy here and that he’s found his place here.”

Former Real Madrid and current Betis star Isco recently joked that the club should start a crowdfunding campaign in order to keep hold of the rejuvenated Brazilian.

“We have to crowdfund so he can stay at least another year,” Isco told DAZN.

“We’ve noticed a change since he arrived; he brings us a lot.

“I’m happy to have Antony here. He’s surprised us all with his humility and desire to help.”

Antony has already described his move to Spain as ‘the best decision he’s ever made’ – two final wins this month, and it could get even better.

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