La Liga club Real Betis is on the verge of finalizing a loan move for Manchester United winger Antony, following the Brazilian’s underwhelming performances at Old Trafford. Signed for a hefty £81.3 million in 2022, Antony arrived with high expectations but has struggled to live up to his price tag, managing only 12 goals across all competitions since joining the Premier League side.
The 24-year-old winger’s form has significantly declined, with his first-team opportunities dwindling over the last two seasons. Antony started 23 league matches in his debut campaign but saw that number drop to 15 last season. This year, he has failed to secure a single start in the Premier League, featuring in just 13 of United’s 32 matches across all competitions.
In his most recent outing against Southampton, Antony missed a golden opportunity to score, redirecting an Alejandro Garnacho cross straight into the arms of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, despite an open goal. This moment epitomized his struggles in front of goal, with his last Premier League strike dating back to April 2023.
Manchester United is reportedly prepared to subsidize Antony’s wages to facilitate a loan deal, acknowledging his diminishing value in their squad. Several clubs have shown interest, but Betis has emerged as the frontrunner, with advanced talks underway. The Spanish side, currently 11th in La Liga, is keen to bolster their attack ahead of their Conference League play-off against Belgian club Gent.
The move could offer Antony a fresh start and a chance to rediscover his form in Spain, where Betis hopes he can inject creativity and energy into their squad. For United, the deal represents an opportunity to ease the financial burden of Antony’s wages while reassessing his long-term role in the team.
