Antony's Manchester United Nightmare Nears End as Exit Deal Takes Shape

Manchester United's winger Antony is reportedly moving closer to finalizing his departure from the club, having remained away from Ruben Amorim's main squad throughout the summer period.

Antony had a successful loan spell with Real Betis in the latter portion of last season and has been waiting for an opportunity to return to the Spanish outfit.

Both parties have expressed mutual interest in reuniting this season, however Betis have struggled with the financial aspects needed to complete the signing without thorough evaluation of their budget first.

Currently, it seems there's been progress in this transfer story. The Telegraph indicates that a preliminary agreement has been established for Antony to rejoin Betis. This development follows negotiations between Manchester United and the La Liga team regarding a transfer, which may be structured as a loan deal with a mandatory purchase clause.

Antony, who became United's second-highest transfer fee when he joined from Ajax in 2022, has been focusing on a Betis return above all other possibilities and is believed to have turned down a potentially profitable move to the Saudi Pro League.

"We all understand that he performed excellently here, we desire him in our team, and Antony undoubtedly wants to come back," Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini commented on this matter last week.

Despite the new season beginning, Betis have notably kept the No. 7 jersey that Antony wore during his previous loan available for him to reclaim, a sign demonstrating their expectation that a transfer will materialize.

Antony will likely be viewed as a Manchester United disappointment, though he created an exciting impression in the opening weeks of 2022–23. The Brazilian found the net in each of his initial three Premier League matches—versus Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton—but then managed only two additional goals in his following 59 league appearances. He equaled his five-goal Premier League record in just 17 La Liga fixtures.

"There exists a different tactical understanding, technical skill [in Spain], which suits him better," former United captain Gary Neville noted on It's Called Soccer earlier this summer.

"There were footballers like Kléberson or Diego Forlán; it simply didn't work out for them [in England], but they enjoyed very successful careers. Forlán was outstanding in Spain, there are players who don't fit a particular league."