Antony is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays for English Premier League side Manchester United. The 24-year-old winger quickly made a name for himself while impressing for Eredivisie side Ajax with his skills. He moved to one of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United, in the summer of 2022, but the move did not go as planned, and he has been unable to impress at the club. Antony is now reportedly set to join La Liga side Real Betis on loan in a bid to get his career back on track.
Credit: talkSPORT
Antony has reportedly agreed to a move away from Manchester United and is set to spend the remainder of the 2024/25 season while representing Real Betis in the La Liga. While this move has more or less been finalised, it is clear that neither Antony nor Manchester United have given up hopes that the Brazilian will have a successful career at Old Trafford. The purpose of this loan is to help Antony gain some experience by getting game time, something which he is unlikely to get at this stage in his career if he stays at Manchester United.
Real Betis has been known for its attacking style of play, and Antony’s inclusion will undoubtedly enhance their offensive capabilities. His ability to score and assist will complement the likes of Vitor Roque, Isco, and Giovani Lo Celso, who have been key players for them. Furthermore, the expertise of Pellegrini, who has a reputation for developing players and maximising their potential, could be instrumental in helping Antony flourish during his loan spell and help him get his confidence back so that he can play at the highest level when he makes a return to Manchester United.
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One of the biggest indicators of the fact that Manchester United isn’t just looking to offload Antony but also to help him develop is the penalty clause that the Red Devils have supposedly added to Antony’s contract. It is reported that to ensure that the Brazilian winger gets game time, Manchester United have added a penalty clause which will come into effect unless Betis meet the requirements set by United. Manuel Pellegrini’s side will apparently need to play a series of penalties should Antony fail to play 10 or more matches either as a starter or by at least finishing the second half.
Manchester United have loaned Antony to Real Betis with a special clause requiring him to play a certain number of games or Betis will face a penalty fee. pic.twitter.com/YKbEjPfDcd
— RTF News (@rtf_news) January 21, 2025
Antony’s deal at Real Betis does not include any buy option that can be exercised, and Manchester United will still pay a large chunk of his salary. This reiterates the point that the point of this deal is to help Antony regain his form and come back stronger once he returns to Old Trafford. Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and some time away from the club, out of the spotlight, might do wonders for the Brazilian star. The pressure to perform at Real Betis, as compared to United, will be significantly less, and this may prove to be the opportunity for Antony to regain his confidence.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Antony to see if he can recapture his early career form and make a lasting impact in Spain, making this transfer one of the more intriguing stories to follow in the football world. Whether this loan is seen as a successful venture will depend on Antony’s performance and how he adapts to his new surroundings. For now, it’s a fresh start filled with potential and promise for a talented player looking to make his mark. The Brazilian star, who has been struggling at Manchester United, will more than welcome this loan deal and hopes he can regain his form and return to Old Trafford as a star.
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Guransh Machra is a sportswriter at Gutshot Magazine. He covers football news from local leagues like the Indian Super League as well as international leagues like the Premier League. He follows various sports like Football, Cricket, Formula 1, and Tennis. Apart from sports, Guransh is also enthusiastic about reading and gaming.
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