‘Antony close to Man United exit with just one hurdle left to jump’
Antony is nearing a permanent Man United exit after his loan spell with Real Betis, but one obstacle remains in the way.
After joining the Red Devils from Ajax in 2022, the Brazil international failed to meet expectations, scoring just 12 goals in 96 appearances.
But Antony’s loan spell with Betis proved fruitful, as the winger notched five goals and two assists in 17 La Liga appearances.
The 25-year-old also helped the Spanish outfit reach the Conference League final by scoring four goals and producing three assists in nine European outings.
Antony close to permanent Betis switch but financial issue emerges
Antony’s strong performances for Real Betis saw him selected for the latest Brazil squad, albeit he remained an unused substitute during recent World Cup qualifiers with Ecuador and Paraguay.
Meanwhile, after Man United finished just 15th in the Premier League last season, Ruben Amorim must significantly improve his squad this summer.
As Amorim looks to bolster his ranks, Man United have signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves, and are vying to complete their move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
But signing such talented players will also see the Red Devils facilitating the exits of their out-of-favour assets.
As per The Athletic on Wednesday, 25 June: “Antony is thought to be the closest to an exit, yet the question has always been how high Real Betis, with whom he has been on loan, can afford to go.”
Antony’s exit highlights wider Man United problem
Football Insider verdict
There is no doubt that Man United are making the right decision by parting company with Antony, as he largely failed to deliver the goods for the North West outfit.
| Antony stats | La Liga 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 17 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 2 |
Furthermore, the wing-back system Amorim is unwaveringly intent on implementing at Old Trafford boasts no place for natural widemen such as the Brazilian.
Antony’s increasingly imminent Red Devils exit is set to be coupled with the departures of fellow wingers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
But the fact that Antony performed so well while on loan with Real Betis, but could not hit such heights with Man United, arrives as part of a worrying trend for the Old Trafford club.
Similarly to the 25-year-old, England international Rashford had been unable to produce quality for Amorim’s men, but excelled during his loan spell with Aston Villa, helping the West Midlands club reach the Champions League quarter-finals and the FA Cup semi-finals.