Man United will lose money after Antony U-turn – ‘this is disastrous’
Manchester United have suffered a big blow in the transfer market as they look to offload out-of-favour winger Antony.
The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Betis, scoring nine goals and picking up five assists in all competitions.
Antony had looked set to complete a permanent move to Betis after the Red Devils accepted a bid for him on Friday (29 August).
However, a debate around the winger’s Man United wages has held the transfer up, with the Spanish club withdrawing their offer as a result.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that United will have to accept a big financial loss in order to move Antony on before the deadline.
Man United will have to take their medicine on Antony
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Man United will have to take their medicine and can’t expect to minimise their losses if they want to get Antony sold to Betis before the window closes.
Ruben Amorim has managed to offload Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho already, but Jadon Sancho still remains at Old Trafford, along with the Brazilian attacker.
Wyness added that although a cheap sale is disastrous financially, it would be more damaging to keep Antony around the club.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “They’re going to lose some money on the deal. But Antony has dug his heels in. Betis is the place he wants to go. It’s where he’s happy. He had a good season there last year. The fans love him. So of course he wants to carry on.
“I think that will get done eventually. United will accept a loss and get him off the wage bill. They’ve got some movements to do. They’ve got a few players to get off the wage bill, and they’re going to have to take a hit somewhere because they can’t expect to make profits or even minimise some of these losses.
“The way it’s panned out has been pretty disastrous. They’re going to have to accept their medicine, and it’s important they do that and move on and really start fresh this season.
“Even though you take a loss, it’s probably even more damaging to have people hanging around. So I think they’ve got to take their medicine, move on, and get that one done.”
Man United look to sell keeper
Meanwhile, West Ham have been offered the opportunity to sign Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, sources have told Football Insider.
The Hammers have been told they can sign the 29-year-old if Amorim‘s side are able to land a new keeper signing before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Onana has been widely expected to leave Old Trafford this summer with the boss having grown frustrated about a string of inconsistent performances from his goalkeeper.
Former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 21 August that Man United plan to sell Onana before 1 September as they look to upgrade on him.
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