"I owe a lot to Ten Hag," Antony told ESPN Brasil. "He's always been there for me, even when I wasn't getting the chances I wanted at United. That's just the way it goes with coaches, and I don't hold it against him."

"In fact, I'm so grateful for everything he's done for me. We had some great chats, and I'll always appreciate that."

But it's not just Ten Hag who's had a positive impact on Antony. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini also gets a mention. "He called me personally when I was in Manchester," Antony said. "That really boosted my confidence."

"He's a fantastic coach and a real father figure to this group."