Manchester United have confirmed Antony’s loan exit to Real Betis for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The divisive Brazilian winger joined United for a sum in excess of £80m in the summer of 2022 and scored on his first three Premier League appearances. Antony has mustered just two top-flight goals across the subsequent two-and-a-half year.

After losing his position in the starting XI under Erik ten Hag – his former Ajax manager who was the driving force behind his undoubtedly over-priced transfer – Antony has barely been offered any game time during Ruben Amorim’s brief reign.

The 24-year-old was keen to agree a move away from Old Trafford in January and arrived in Spain this weekend to undergo a medical at Betis. Antony described himself as “so happy” to have agreed this loan deal.

United released a statement on Saturday afternoon confirming Antony’s loan move “subject to international clearance”. At the end of the release, the club concluded: “Everybody at United would like to wish Antony the best of luck for his spell in Seville.”

The news broke a matter of minutes after Real Betis secured a 1-0 victory over Mallorca courtesy of Cedric Bakambu’s 96th-minute winner. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have climbed into the top half of the table and remain well-placed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.

Manchester United, by comparison, are struggling. This iteration of the Red Devils have been called “the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United” by their own manager and find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the division’s top seven.

Amorim is thought to be unhappy with United’s inactivity in the January window. The departure of Antony, who is set to have the majority of his wages covered by Real Betis, could open up some funds for new recruits. The Premier League outfit are actively chasing Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu, but have had multiple bids rebuffed by the Serie A strugglers.

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