Antony’s Hopes of Ending Man Utd Nightmare Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid in ‘Next 24 Hours’

The Flop Who Needs a Fresh Start

When Manchester United signed Antony from Ajax in the summer of 2022 for a staggering £85 million, expectations were sky high. The Brazilian winger arrived with a reputation for flair, pace, and goals — a player Erik ten Hag trusted deeply from their successful partnership in Amsterdam. But fast forward two years, and that dream has turned into something of a nightmare.

Now, Antony’s hopes of reviving his career rest almost entirely on Real Betis, who are preparing a fresh bid within the “next 24 hours.” According to Mail Sport, this renewed attempt could be decisive for the 24-year-old’s future.

United, meanwhile, are desperate to resolve a saga that has dragged on all summer. Having invested heavily in new attacking talent, the club knows it cannot carry Antony any longer, not with his wages and price tag looming like a shadow over Old Trafford.

What Happened?

The story of Antony’s decline at Manchester United is well-documented. After a promising debut goal against Arsenal and flashes of brilliance in the Europa League, his form quickly faded. His decision-making came under scrutiny, goals dried up, and confidence visibly drained from his game.

By the 2023/24 season, he had slipped completely down the pecking order. Fans grew restless. Pundits pointed fingers at the United board’s transfer strategy. And when Ten Hag’s trust in him waned, the writing seemed to be on the wall.

A loan move to Real Betis in January 2024 offered him a lifeline. To his credit, Antony rediscovered some of his spark in Spain, scoring nine goals and contributing assists that helped Betis push for European football. His dribbles carried menace again, and there was a visible sense of freedom about his play.

Betis loved him. He loved Betis. And by the end of the season, both sides knew a reunion was likely — if the finances could align.

Antony Betis 2025

The Bigger Picture

Antony’s return to Old Trafford this summer has been nothing short of awkward. He found himself in what has been described as Ruben Amorim’s “bomb squad”, a group of unwanted players training away from the main squad. That in itself says everything about how far his United career has fallen.

United, under new leadership and with a revamped recruitment strategy, have no intention of carrying passengers. They want Antony gone — not on another loan, but permanently. For a club still reeling from years of expensive mistakes, recouping even a fraction of that £85m fee is critical.

But Antony is clear in his desires. He does not want Turkey. He does not want Benfica. He wants Betis. And that insistence could complicate matters, because United are looking for the best deal, not necessarily the one that makes the player happiest.

What Pellegrini Said

Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini has been characteristically calm in public, but his words leave little doubt about where his preference lies.

“I’ve not spoken with Antony,” Pellegrini admitted recently. “We all know that he was very good here; we want him with us, and Antony wants to return, no doubt. But we also need the owner, which is Manchester United, to make a decision.”

It’s a delicate balance. Betis know the player is keen. Antony himself has reportedly made it clear he would only sanction a permanent switch back to Seville. But they also know United are tough negotiators. If the English giants hold firm on their valuation, Betis will need to stretch themselves financially — something they don’t always do easily.

Why This Transfer Matters

This isn’t just about Antony. It’s about Manchester United’s transfer credibility.

Over the past decade, the club has been haunted by expensive flops: Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba’s second spell, Jadon Sancho, and now Antony. Allowing him to linger, unwanted and underperforming, would be yet another stain on a recruitment record that already frustrates fans.

For Betis, this is about ambition. Signing a player of Antony’s profile permanently would be a statement to La Liga and a show of intent that they want to be more than just a Europa League side. They want to compete, and they want to do it with flair.

And for Antony? It’s about survival. At 24, he cannot afford another season wasted on the fringes of a big squad. He needs to play, to score, to remind the world why he was once valued so highly.

Did You Know?

• Antony’s £85m fee remains the second-highest ever paid by Manchester United, behind only Paul Pogba’s £89m return in 2016.

• During his Ajax career under Ten Hag, Antony scored 24 goals and provided 22 assists across 82 appearances. That productivity has never been matched in England.

• At Betis, despite playing just half a season, he ranked in the top three for dribbles completed in La Liga.

Those numbers show that while the Premier League was a struggle, the Brazilian still has qualities that shine in the right environment.

What Next for Antony?

Antony

According to reports, Betis’ new bid will arrive in the next 24 hours. If United accept, the winger could be unveiled within days, giving him plenty of time to settle before the new La Liga season truly kicks into gear.

If not? The situation becomes far murkier. Antony has shown little interest in alternative destinations. United, meanwhile, cannot realistically reintegrate him into Amorim’s plans. He would risk being frozen out completely, training without purpose, his career drifting at a dangerous stage.

For all parties, then, there is only one solution: find a compromise now.

Final Thoughts

Antony’s story at Manchester United will almost certainly be remembered as a failure. The price tag was too heavy, the expectations too high, and the performances too inconsistent. But in football, failure at one club doesn’t have to mean failure everywhere.

At Real Betis, he found joy again. He found a system and a manager that believed in him. Most importantly, he found fans who embraced him without the constant comparisons to his transfer fee.

The next 24 hours could determine whether he gets that chance again. And if Betis succeed in their bid, Antony will have a fresh start — a chance to end his Old Trafford nightmare, and perhaps finally show the world what he can really do.