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LONDON: Antony continued his impressive form at Real Betis by scoring against Gent in the Europa Conference League play-off.

The 24-year-old, who failed to make it to Manchester United, joined the Spanish club on loan last month after struggling at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian found the net in his second appearance for Betis against Celta Vigo last weekend, having provided an assist on his debut.

He continued his resurgence by scoring a stunning goal to give his loan side the lead in Belgium earlier this morning.

Less than two minutes after the break, the winger received a pass on the right wing before deflecting a stunning left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the opponent’s goal.

Fans online were quick to comment on Antony’s goal.

One fan said: “United are the ones in trouble.”

While the second criticized: “Now it’s clear United are ruining every player.”

A third fan wrote: “It’s crazy what confidence can do to a player.”

Real Betis chief executive officer Ramon Alcaron admitted his team were interested in signing Antony permanently.

The former Ajax star is under contract at United until June 2027.

MADRID: Barcelona will have to make a deal with Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals when Real Madrid meet Real Sociedad.

It is the first time since 2014 that Spain’s top three teams have advanced to the last four, with Real Sociedad also in the group.

Barcelona, ​​who have a record of 31 titles and last lifted the trophy in 2021, are scheduled to host Diego Simeone’s squad for the first leg of the semi-final before visiting their opponents at the Metropolitano stadium.

Atletico, who are second in La Liga and one point ahead of the Catalan giants, last lifted the trophy in 2013 and have won the title 10 times.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid, who have a record 20 titles, are scheduled to visit San Sebastian for the first leg before hosting Real Sociedad afterwards.

Real Sociedad have only lifted the trophy twice, most recently in the 2020 edition.

The first semi-final is scheduled to take place on February 25 and 26, while the return leg is scheduled for April 1 and 2.

LONDON: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted that winger Alejandro Garnacho has regained his trust after showing a significant improvement since being sidelined in the derby win over Manchester City last December.

In that match, Amorim surprised many when he dropped Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from the squad that won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

However, unlike Garnacho who has recovered and improved his performance, Rashford is still in a period of isolation and has hinted at wanting to leave Old Trafford.

Amorim, on the other hand, stressed that the England star needs to improve his level of play if he wants to return to the team.

Garnacho, 20, proved his commitment when he came on as a substitute and created the assist for Kobbie Mainoo in United’s 2-0 Europa League win over FCSB earlier this morning.

According to Amorim, Garnacho’s change in attitude since being sidelined in the match against City was the main factor in him regaining trust.

“He changed immediately after that match. The way he understood the situation, accepted that I just wanted to help and win the match,” Amorim said.

“He’s changed in everything, the way he talks, the way he recovers after games.”

The former Sporting Lisbon coach also admitted that he often urged Garnacho to be more consistent, in contrast to the approach of former manager Erik ten Hag, who used him more often in the starting lineup.

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record with Al-Nassr after he scored twice in their 3-1 win over Al-Khaleej yesterday.

The victory means his team has jumped to third place in the Saudi Pro League, now with 32 points and in good position to book a place in the AFC Elite Champions League.

However, it is quite far compared to the leader Al-Hilal who is superior with 43 points.

The all-time leading goalscorer scored his 918th and 919th career goals and now has 13 league goals this season, surpassing Al-Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the race for the golden boot.

Ronaldo, 39, has now completed more than 100 goal contributions for the Saudi Arabian club – 101 in 92 matches, including 83 goals and 18 assists.

While most famous footballers would be happy to make more history, he has no qualms about chasing a single record.

He now only needs 81 goals to become the first player to score 1,000 goals in his career.

Al-Nassr won on the road, helped by Saeed Al-Hamsal’s red card in the 35th minute.

The score was tied without a goal before Ronaldo scored two goals.

Al Khaleej hit back when Konstantinos Fortounis converted a penalty in the 80th minute, before their hopes of a comeback were dashed just a minute later by Sultan Al Ghanam, who scored Al Nassr’s third goal.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim labelled his team the worst in the club’s history after their 10th Premier League defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 3-1 defeat left United in 13th place in the league and heading towards their worst finish in the Premier League era.

Brighton comfortably won and United have now collected just 11 points from a possible 33 since Amorim joined them from Sporting in November. It is the first time since the 1989-90 season that they have lost 10 of their opening 22 league games.

“Imagine how Manchester United fans feel now. Imagine how I feel. We’ve got a new manager who’s lost more than the previous manager (Erik ten Hag). I’m aware of that.

“But I wouldn’t change it for a moment. I know we can succeed, but we have to get through this. I’m not naive and I know we have to get through this.

“We are the worst team, probably, in the history of Manchester United. I know you want the headlines, but I say that because we need to realise that and change it,” said Amorim.

The 20-time English champions have collected just 26 points from 22 games this season. Their worst finish in the Premier League era was eighth place last season.

Amorim said the road ahead for them is getting tougher before the end of the season, with Rangers travelling to Old Trafford for a Europa League match on Thursday before a trip to Fulham for their next Premier League match on Sunday.

United, who were last relegated from the top flight in 1974, have lost six of their first 12 league games at home – their worst record since 1893-94.

The last time United lost 10 of their first 22 games was under Alex Ferguson, who went on to become the club’s greatest manager with 13 English top-flight titles.