Antony set to end Manchester United nightmare after being offered escape route

Antony is expected to complete his loan switch to Real Betis from Manchester United next week, talkSPORT understands.

As reported in this week’s talkSPORT Transfer Notebook, Betis have offered the Brazilian forward an escape route away from Old Trafford.

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The LaLiga side only had one condition – that the Red Devils fork out a large chunk of the 24-year-old’s £200,000-a-week wages.

And it is believed that United have now agreed to pay a hefty percentage of his salary with the deal entering its closing stages.

talkSPORT also understands that there is no buy option inserted into the contract, with Antony‘s move a straight loan.

Antony, who is among United’s top five earners, is tied down at the Theatre of Dreams until 2027.

And fans will be hoping Antony impresses enough during his time in Spain with supporters seeking a permanent move away in the summer.

The forward initially got off to a dream start at United following his £86million switch from Ajax in 2022 after scoring on his debut against Arsenal.

But since then, he has failed to prove anywhere near value for money and was once again a point of frustration for fans against Southampton on Thursday, as he missed a glorious close range opportunity to draw Ruben Amorim’s side level.

Luckily for United, Amad Diallo bailed his team out from a potentially embarrassing defeat to the 20th place Saints with a late hat-trick, one that ranks as the 11th fastest in Premier League history. 

This season Antony has only played 401 minutes, with his most game time coming in the Carabao Cup.

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He is yet to start a league match this season and is not Amorim’s desired choice of wing-backs or narrow forwards.  

The Portuguese head coach claimed Antony can play wing-back and ‘did a great job improving in that position’, but did challenge him by insisting he ‘has to defend more’.

Despite those words of encouragement in December, he is yet to highly impress Amorim.

And with Antony taking up space on their profit and sustainability regulations ledger, United are aiming to shift him and others off their wage bill.

Marcus Rashford could follow him out the exit door in another potential loan deal.

It is believed that AC Milan have held talks to bring him to the San Siro, with the Italian giants also keen on signing Kyle Walker from Manchester City.