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Manchester United and Real Betis have struck a deal for Brazilian winger Antony to head out on loan, marking a big step in United’s squad shake-up. Antony, who hasn’t quite lived up to his £86 million price tag, is off to the La Liga club until June 2025. He’ll be flying to Spain on Friday night for a medical before finalizing the move.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Betis will cover 84% of Antony’s hefty £200,000-per-week salary during the loan. There’s no option to buy, so there’s still a chance for Antony to return to Old Trafford. For now, this loan gives him a shot to revive his career and eases United’s financial load.
Antony’s time at Manchester United has been a bit of a letdown. Despite being a big signing under Erik ten Hag in 2022, he’s struggled to find his groove. This season, he’s only made eight league appearances, racking up just 135 minutes without starting a single match. His only goal this season—a penalty against Barnsley in the EFL Cup—shows he hasn’t made much of an impact.
Since joining from Ajax, Antony has played 95 matches for United, scoring just 12 goals. That’s over £7 million spent per goal when you factor in his transfer fee and hefty wages. He’s also pocketed more than £25 million in salary since arriving, highlighting the club’s need to rethink his role.
Real Betis, looking to boost their attack, will hope Antony can find the form that first caught United’s attention. Earlier this month, Olympiacos was interested in a loan, but Antony turned it down, wanting a challenge in La Liga.
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This move comes at a crucial time for Manchester United, who are feeling the heat to improve their results. The Red Devils have only managed one win in their last six Premier League matches and are sitting in a disappointing 13th place.
While Antony heads to Spain, Manchester United is still chasing Lecce’s talented left-back Patrick Dorgu. Talks are ongoing after Lecce turned down United’s initial offer of £23 million plus add-ons, holding out for closer to £33 million. United’s Director of Football Negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, met with Lecce’s reps this week, showing the club’s determination to land the 19-year-old.
Dorgu is seen as a long-term fix for United’s defensive woes, and his addition could bring some much-needed depth. But the deal isn’t done yet, and United has other targets in mind as they work to shore up their squad.
United’s struggles this season have put a lot of pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, who now has to turn things around. With Antony leaving and potential reinforcements on the horizon, the next few months will be crucial for the club.
The Red Devils will be looking to gain some momentum when they head to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Saturday night. A positive result could be just what they need to start climbing the Premier League table.
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