OFFICIAL: Man Utd outcast Antony completes Real Betis transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 25 Jan 2025 11:54 CST
3 min read

Manchester United winger Antony has officially joined Real Betis on loan for the rest of the season.

One of the biggest misunderstandings in recent Premier League history is over, albeit only temporarily. €95 million flop Antony has left Man Utd to join LaLiga side Real Betis on a straight loan without an option or obligation to make the deal permanent.

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Man Utd will continue to pay a sizeable chunk of his significant wages as the Seville-based side would otherwise not have been able to sign the 24-year-old.

Antony had been linked with a departure from Old Trafford for some time after proving a disastrous signing by former manager Erik ten Hag, with even the Dutchman appearing to give up on his former Ajax protégé towards the end of his reign.

Ten Hag was the one who pushed Man Utd to move for Antony in the summer of 2022 despite the fact that the club's scouting department reportedly had doubts about his suitability. Ten Hag's desperation to bring him in resulted in the club paying massively over the odds.

Antony leaves Man Utd

Two-and-a-half years on from his arrival, the Brazilian leaves as one of the biggest flop signings in Man Utd - and indeed Premier League - history.

In his first season, Antony netted eight goals and provided three assists. The following campaign, it took him until April to score his first Premier League goal and he only found the back of the net three times in 38 appearances.

This term, his only goal contribution came against third-tier Barnsley when he scored in a 7-0 Carabao Cup rout. All told, Antony has netted 12 goals and assisted five times in 96 appearances for Man Utd.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

Off the pitch, the attacker has had to deal with allegations of domestic abuse which have only served to increase the scrutiny on him and it had been clear for some time that he would be better off leaving Man Utd.

After it became evident that new head coach Ruben Amorim wouldn't utilise him much either, he opened the door to a departure and Real Betis, who already expressed interest on Deadline Day in the summer, have now secured his services for the next six months.