Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag have both been blamed for not being able to give Antony the ‘spark’ he needed to ignite his spell with the club, by a Real Betis insider who has revealed what the winger’s character has been like in his new surroundings. And with Marcus Rashford making an impression at Aston Villa too, a lot of questions could be asked about the environment around Man Utd and how some of their attackers have struggled. That means there are hidden virtues in this players, but whay could be wrong?

How Amorim and Ten Hag Unraveled Antony’s Game at Manchester United—Real Betis Insider Explains

A new revelation has shed light on how Antony’s effectiveness at Manchester United has drastically declined, with insights from a Real Betis insider pointing to both Rúben Amorim and Erik ten Hag as key figures in this tactical shift. Once regarded as a dangerous attacking weapon, Antony has struggled to maintain his impact, and now the strategies that neutralized him are coming to the surface.

Amorim’s Defensive Masterclass

Rúben Amorim, known for his structured defensive strategies, was among the first to expose Antony’s limitations when Sporting CP clashed with him in European competitions. His game plan specifically targeted the Brazilian winger’s strengths and turned them into weaknesses:

Closing Down Space – Amorim instructed his players to compress the wide areas, preventing Antony from receiving the ball in open space where he thrives.

Forcing Him Inward – By cutting off his left-footed dribbling route, defenders forced Antony onto his weaker right foot, making him far less effective.

Limiting Passing Options – By positioning midfielders and full-backs strategically, Amorim ensured Antony had few passing outlets, leaving him isolated and predictable.

This systematic approach successfully restricted Antony’s influence, forcing him into situations where his usual tricks no longer worked.

Ten Hag’s Missteps at United

Ironically, Erik ten Hag—the coach who initially helped Antony flourish at Ajax—may have contributed to his struggles at Manchester United. Instead of adapting the team’s tactics to counter Premier League defenders, Ten Hag’s approach remained too rigid:

Over-Reliance on Individual Skill – Rather than adjusting the system to create more space for Antony, United’s attack depended too much on his one-on-one ability.

Predictability – Antony’s repeated habit of cutting inside onto his left foot made him easy to read, allowing defenders to anticipate his moves.

Lack of Tactical Support – Without full-backs overlapping to stretch the opposition’s defense, Antony often found himself crowded out with limited passing options.

As a result, opposition teams quickly figured out how to neutralize him, turning what was once his biggest strength into a glaring weakness.

Can Antony Revive His Form?

For Antony to reclaim his influence on the pitch, he must evolve his game:

1. Improve His Right Foot – Becoming a two-footed player would make him far less predictable in attacking scenarios.

2. Enhance Decision-Making – Learning to navigate tight spaces and make quicker, smarter decisions under pressure is crucial.

3. Adopt a More Versatile Role – Exploring central attacking roles or playing as a secondary forward could open up new opportunities.

With Manchester United undergoing managerial and tactical transitions, Antony’s future remains uncertain. If he can adapt to these challenges, he may yet rediscover his best form. However, if he fails to evolve, he risks fading into obscurity as teams continue to exploit the weaknesses tha

t Amorim and Ten Hag inadvertently exposed.