Antony responds to Manuel Ugarte’s two-word message as Man United exit links swirl
Man United outcast Antony has responded to Red Devils midfielder Manuel Ugarte as the Brazil international prepares to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Antony made an £82million [BBC] move to United from Ajax back in September 2022, but has struggled to adapt to English football in the years that have followed.
The Brazilian winger has scored just 12 times in 96 appearances for the Red Devils since his arrival, and he was loaned out to Real Betis in the recent January window after featuring in just eight league games in the first-half of last season.
Antony impressed at Betis as they reached the Conference League final against Chelsea, but has not done enough to force his way back into Amorim’s plans, with reports emerging last month that the Brazil international was nearing an Old Trafford exit amid interest from Betis in turning his loan into a permanent deal.
Football finance expert Stefan Borson revealed to Football Insider on 1 July that United could take a profit and sustainability (PSR) loss to get rid of Antony this summer, while ex-United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen on a reunion with Antony at Bayer Leverkusen ahead of next season.
Manuel Ugarte shares United return message
Antony recently took to Instagram to post an update of him in individual training following a report from the BBC which revealed that he has remained in his native Brazil after being told that he will not be part of Amorim’s first-team training sessions this summer.
United teammate Ugarte endured a tough debut season at the club, but he is set to be a part of Amorim’s plans for 2025/26 as he also took to the site on Friday (11 July) to share pictures of him at the Red Devils’ Carrington training base with the caption: “We’re back,” after his pre-season started on Thursday (10 July) following international duty with Uruguay [Man United].
Antony responded to Ugarte’s message with a like, despite being shunned by United, while Nuno Mendes, Matthijs De Ligt, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez and fellow exit-linked Red Devil Joshua Zirkzee all also liked the post, and Bruno Fernandes jokingly commented: “Have you been in the gym recently?”
Antony needs to leave United as soon as possible
Football Insider verdict
According to United Antony that he wants to leave [BBC Sport], but a move to Betis has not moved any closer as the La Liga side are refusing to shift from their budget and so are still locked in transfer negotiations with the Red Devils.
That will come as a blow to the winger, as he clearly has no future at United after developments over the past season and in the transfer market this summer.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 26 | 9 | 5 |
The Red Devils have moved to bring in Matheus Cunha from Wolves, who plays in a different position to his compatriot but is an attacker all the same, while Amorim could also complement his talents with another forward as Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo closes in on a move to the Red Devils, as revealed by Football Insider.
The longer Antony’s exit saga goes on the more unlikely it seems that he will leave this summer, which would be hugely disappointing as he would likely not play again until the January window, so he needs to force a move anywhere, even if it is not to Betis, where he would seemingly prefer to play again.