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HomeFootballThe most expensive misunderstanding: ManUnited lends Antony to Betis

The most expensive misunderstanding: ManUnited lends Antony to Betis

A very expensive chapter for Manchester United has come to an end, at least for the time being. Antony, once worth 95 million euros, is leaving the Red Devils on loan to Spain.

The Spanish first division club secured the services of the attacking midfielder, who is still tied to the Red Devils until 2027, until the end of the season. The two clubs announced this on Saturday evening.

In August 2022, the then United manager Erik ten Hag got his dream player. After Lisandro Martinez, Antony also moved from ten Hag’s former club Ajax Amsterdam to Manchester United – for a base transfer fee of 95 million euros. Which made the Brazilian the second most expensive purchase in the club’s history to date; only for Paul Pogba did the Red Devils put even more money on the table in 2016.

Antony got off to a flying start, scoring in each of his first three Premier League appearances. But the now 24-year-old was unable to build on this, as his opponents quickly adapted to his provocatively tricky and ultimately inefficient style of play.

At the beginning of this season, Antony had already lost his starting place, with ten Hag preferring to use Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho or Amad on the wings. Even when the Dutchman was sacked at the end of October and ManUnited got a new manager in Ruben Amorim, Antony was still on the sidelines.

In this Premier League season, the left-footer has not been in the starting lineup a single time, and he scored his only point in the 7-0 win over Barnsley in the League Cup. Although Antony was repeatedly brought on under Amorim, he did not make an impact on the field.

Manchester United recently expressed a willingness to talk, seeking a loan. Betis has now been found as a taker. Even though Antony’s departure is initially only temporary and Betis did not secure a purchase option, his time at ManUnited will go down in the annals as the most expensive misunderstanding in the club’s history.

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