Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim and his predecessor 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.

How Amorim and Ten Hag Neutralized Antony at Manchester United – Real Betis Insider Unravels the Mystery
A fascinating revelation has emerged regarding the tactical maneuvers that led to the apparent disappearance of Antony’s influence at Manchester United. According to an insider at Real Betis, both Erik ten Hag and Sporting CP’s Rúben Amorim played pivotal roles in neutralizing the Brazilian winger’s threat.

Antony, once hailed as a dynamic attacking force, has seen his impact wane significantly, and now the veil is being lifted on the strategic approaches that rendered him ineffective. Amorim, a mastermind in defensive structuring, first exposed vulnerabilities in Antony’s game during their encounters in European competitions. His meticulous game plan focused on restricting space, forcing Antony into tight situations, and cutting off his preferred passing lanes.

Erik ten Hag, on the other hand, who previously nurtured Antony at Ajax, seemed to struggle with integrating him effectively into United’s evolving tactical setup. Rather than adapting the system to maximize Antony’s strengths, his role became predictable, making it easier for opposition teams to neutralize him.

Now, as this tactical enigma unravels, questions arise: Can Antony reinvent himself and break free from the shackles placed upon him? Or will he continue to struggle under the weight of opposition strategies that have cracked the code to nullify his influence? The answer may shape his future at Manchester United.
Antony’s struggles at Manchester United have been a major talking point, and this insight from a Real Betis insider sheds light on how both Rúben Amorim and Erik ten Hag played a role—intentionally or not—in diminishing his influence.

Amorim’s Tactical Blueprint

Rúben Amorim, known for his well-structured defensive approach, reportedly identified key weaknesses in Antony’s game when Sporting CP faced him in European competitions. His tactics focused on:

Denying Space: Antony thrives in 1v1 situations, but Amorim’s system crowded the wide areas, forcing him to play in tight spaces.

Forcing Him Inside: By cutting off the outside lane and showing him onto his weaker right foot, Sporting neutralized Antony’s biggest asset—his left-footed dribbling and shooting.

Disrupting Passing Lanes: Midfielders and full-backs worked in tandem to limit his support options, isolating him and making him predictable.

Ten Hag’s Tactical Oversight

Ironically, the coach who helped Antony shine at Ajax—Erik ten Hag—may have contributed to his downfall at United. Instead of evolving Antony’s role to counter Premier League defenses, Ten Hag’s system:

Relied too much on Antony’s individual brilliance rather than adjusting the system to create more space for him.

Became predictable, as Antony consistently cut inside onto his left foot, making it easier for defenders to prepare.

Failed to provide overlapping full-backs who could stretch the opposition defense and give Antony more room to operate.

What’s Next for Antony?

To break free from these tactical shackles, Antony must:

1. Develop his right foot to become less predictable in attacking moves.

2. Improve decision-making, especially in tight spaces where he struggles under pressure.

3. Adapt to different roles, potentially playing more centrally or as a second forward to exploit different areas of the pitch.

With Manchester United undergoing managerial changes, Antony’s future remains uncertain. A fresh tactical approach could revive his form, but unless he evolves, he risks being sidelined in the club’s long-term plans.