Bruno to Real Madrid? Antony to Real Betis? Ruben Amorim's plans

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 1 Apr 2025 02:11 CDT
4 min read

Bruno Fernandes, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Ruben Amorim has shut down reports of Bruno Fernandes joining Real Madrid this summer but his answer on Antony’s future was telling.

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Bruno has been increasingly linked to Madrid in recent days, with the Blancos planning to sign a top midfielder this summer.

Current ETV

Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

ETV Range

€20.4M - €24.9M

Fernandes has been one of Europe’s most productive attacking midfielders for many years now but has been frustrated at times by the lack of success and trophies at United.

This has led to talk he would wish to quit United for Madrid if an offer comes in but Amorim has made it clear that he is staying next season.

What did Ruben Amorim say?

"He’s 30, I think, but he’s still so young because he plays 55 games every season and between assists and goals he’s there for 30 at least,” Amorim said.

“So he’s the type of player we want here so he’s not going anywhere.

"We are in control of the situation and I feel that he is really happy here, especially because he understands what we want to do and then I think he is one more supporter of Manchester United. He really feels it."

While Amorim stressed that Bruno was not going anywhere, he refused to confirm that he wanted Antony back at United.

The Brazilian has been reborn on loan at Real Betis in the second half of this season.

This has led to talk that he could still have a career at Old Trafford but Amorim’s words appear to show that this is unlikely.

“Antony to return? I'm planning the future but I don't want to talk about the future in this moment,” he said.

“I just want to focus on the games.”

Antony has eight goal contributions in 12 games since joining Real Betis in January.

© IMAGO - Antony has been a disaster for Man Utd

Antony at Man Utd

Antony joined Man Utd from Ajax in the summer of 2022 for €100m and big things were expected of Erik ten Hag’s former pupil.

However, Antony has been an unmitigated disaster at Old Trafford. He bagged just four Premier League goals and two assists in his inaugural season and looked well short of the physical, mental and even technical levels required to play for such a big team.

Last season, Antony was even worse with just one Premier League goal and one assist.

Antony did not start a game this season in the Premier League or Europa League, playing just 83 minutes of league football off the bench for United before his loan move.

He had one goal and just 400 minutes across 14 games in all competitions this season.