Manchester United dud Antony labelled ‘magic’ by new teammate on loan move

Antony may not have been a hit at Manchester United but has already been labelled ‘magic’ by a new teammate at Real Betis.

The Brazilian completed a loan move to the Spanish side in January, hoping to get his career back on track after a difficult time at Old Trafford.

That plan got off to a good start as he was named MVP in his La Liga debut, providing an assist in the 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Betis defender Romain Perraud was certainly impressed and is full of praise for the how the winger has quickly settled in.

‘Antony is a very good teammate,’ said Perraud. ‘He played a great debut – he provides a very important support for us. He has magic.’

The Brazil international sounds very positive about his short-term switch to Betis, telling LALIGA TV after his debut: ‘Very happy and pleased with the first game. The fans were incredible. A little sad about the draw.

‘I felt really good and excited. I was waiting all week for this match. It’s important to me that the team is doing well.

‘The manager told me to stay calm. He’s a great coach. Concentration on set pieces is important. We have to improve this.’

Real Betis are managed by Manuel Pellegrini, with the veteran boss impressed by his new signing’s start.

‘Well, I think it was a very positive debut,’ said the former Manchester City manager. ‘He’s a quality player.

‘I was talking to him just before the game. I think a good player doesn’t have to be constantly showing off his skills with the ball. He has to play a good game, make few mistakes and do two or three important things: a goal, a good pass, a good cross.

‘I think he was very involved today, especially with the second goal. He had just arrived a couple of days before and I think he’s going to contribute a lot to us.’

It has been something of a love-in since Antony left Manchester, with the winger telling a press conference on Wednesday: ‘When Betis appeared I felt a certainty in my heart that I had to come here to achieve great things.’

He will be hoping to impress again at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday afternoon.