Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo react to Antony’s emotional message as Man United exit looms
Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo have reacted to an emotional message from Man United outcast Antony as he prepares to depart 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 has been mooted to be keen on a reunion with Antony at Bayer Leverkusen ahead of next season.
Antony posts emotional social media message
BBC Sport recently revealed that the Brazilian international has remained in his home country after being told that he will not be part of Amorim’s first-team training sessions this summer.
Antony took to Instagram on Friday (18 July) to share a new post of him in a music studio during his time-off alongside a message saying: “Dêem graças ao Senhor, porque ele é bom. O seu amor dura para sempre! SL 136-1,” which translates to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever! SL 136-1.”
Cunha, who is unlikely to ever feature alongside his compatriot for United, liked the post, while Amad, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Roberto Firmino were among those who followed suit, while Marc Bartra replied: “Irmaaaoo sonrieee” which translates to “Brotherrrr smileee.”
Antony needs to leave United as soon as possible
Football Insider verdict
Antony has told United 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 will former United boss Ten Hag recently admitting that his current club Leverkusen are “not interested” in signing him this summer, despite saying that Antony is “like a son to me.”
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 26 | 9 | 5 |
The Red Devils have moved to bring in Cunha from Wolves, who plays in a different position to his compatriot but is an attacker all the same, while Amorim is closing in on another forward addition as Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo nears a move to the Red Devils.
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.