This is an update and a bit of a regurgitation in terms of news but Antony does look like his time is up at MUFC.
aleqtisadiah on X, says that 'Several player agents have offered Antony the opportunity to move to a club in the Saudi Pro League in this transfer window. Antony received a promise from one of the agents to bring an offer from a Saudi club - however, he declined, preferring to negotiate directly with the club without an intermediary. He is considering leaving Manchester United' via mufcMPB.
So the Brazilian has interest from Saudi who are probably the only nation/league that can afford to pay his high wages of £200k-a-week. Yes, Antony earns £200k-a-week.
🙃.
This update comes after we had news that Real Betis and Olympiacos were looking to bring him in. However, Antony didn't fancy a move to either of those clubs but looks to be tempted by a move to Saudi Arabia.
It's also clear from this update that leaving United is an option for him when other reports in the recent past suggested that he would like to remain in Manchester.
Update
Reports from Fabrizio Romano this morning saying that Real Betis are close to agreeing a deal with United for Antony.
"Real Betis are closing in on Antony deal with Man United! Final details of the agreement being discussed, loan move until June with NO option clause currently included. Antony has opened doors to the move, Man United will also cover part of the salary."
Final Thoughts
This isn't the biggest news in football. It's not even breaking news because we know that this guy is pretty much done and dusted at Old Trafford. With the little game time he's had especially under Amorim, Antony was probably gone a long time ago.
As this is a bit of old news, this at least gives me the opportunity to speak about the Brazilian that never was at MUFC.
Looking at what he did at Ajax, I was super excited to see him come to United. This guy appeared to have everything needed of an inverted right-winger.
The skills, the creativity, goal scoring ability. That fighting attitude as well was typical of any South American.
With his then former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag moving to United, it made sense that at some point, Antony will join him.
In the end, that is exactly what happened despite a lengthy delay in his arrival. Due to this delay, MUFC had to coup up £80m for the winger which was far too much for a player like him.
The club paid at least double what he was worth.
This ridiculous pricetag which wasn't his fault, is something that weighed over his head since he signed for United. As it hasn't worked out, Antony is being lebaled the '£80m flop.'
But in that first season, while he wasn't as flamboyant with some of his skills although the spin...
What he did was showcase some of his ability especially in attack. Antony scored 3 goals in his first three games for United leading us all to believe that perhaps we've got a top player here.
He would go on to score a goal of the month in the harrowing 6-3 defeat in the derby that year and also what for me, was one of his best moments in a United shirt: his late winner against Barcelona in the Europa League.
Absolute limbs from the home crowd.
Antony also scored an important late equalizer in the now famous 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup last season. Had he not scored that goal, the game doesn't go to extra time and we don't get that win nor do we lift the FA Cup, which ended up being ten Hag's crowning moment last year and kept him in a job post that victory in the final even though it was announced that his time was up as MUFC manager just days before the 2-1 win over City.
I think that goal goes a little under the radar in terms of it's importance because of what happened in the following 30 minutes.
But his career at United (so far) will be remembered for those moments rather than anything more sustainable and consistent.
He has been subject to much ridicule during his 2-and-a-half seasons at United as well. I guess for those watching and reading the memes it is funny but for the person, it must have been so difficult.
To be fair to Antony though, this didn't seem to deter him as his attitude was still one that was unquestionable. In fact, it's probably the best thing about him as the 24-year-old displays the right mindset whenever putting on the United shirt.
He regularly kisses and points at the badge whenever he scores and as part of celebrations with teammates, can be seen jumping with joy almost as if he scored.
Antony seems to be a well-liked member of the squad as well as he looks to have a lot of good friends in the camp.
What also wouldn't have made his time easy at the club was when he had all those sexual harassment allegations thrown at him by a former partner early last season.
Those allegations thankfully didn't amount to anything but it would no doubt have still affected him.
Antony is now with someone else and seems really happy. He's also had a child with this new partner as he regularly shares pictures of himself and his family on his socials.
There is a lot to like about this player and person. Unfortunately though, he will always be judged by what he did on the pitch which so far, hasn't been anywhere near good enough.
In 94 games for United, the winger has just 12 goals and 5 assists which means he scores and/or assists once every 18 games.
With the new manager coming in, many thought that for him (and all others) it would be a fresh start and perhaps a chance for him to revive his career at Old Trafford.
People were even suggesting trying Antony as the left wing-back in Amorim's 3-4-3 as the Brazilian's work rate is another aspect of his game that no one can complain about.
But even under the Portuguese, Antony has hardly featured. In the 13 matches Amorim has been at the helm, the 24-year-old Brazilian has played just seven and started only two of those.
Even under ten Hag, he didn't play much.
Antony has shown very little growth in his ability to adapt to life in the Premier League, doesn't show much versatility in his game as he is very one-footed and appears to lack confidence whenever stepping foot onto the field.
He then falls into that category of player who has the right attitude but not the right ability, something that we've had with many players in the past. This means that he is not good enough for Man United.
It has been a failure for him in 2 years (almost 3) and with a contract that ends in June 2027, the club look to be willing to cut their losses on a player that had so much potential.
Moving to Saudi Arabia at just 24 isn't what I would like to see for any player let alone one with the ability Antony possesses.
Nevertheless, it is his decision at the end of the day but I would like to see Antony give it another go somewhere in Europe.
On this latest update, I mean, I guess it's good that we're close to moving him on. For Antony himself, it's good that he can find a club where he will play more football but with all due respect, Real Betis? This tells you more about Antony's current quality than anything else.
He's obviously not Barcelona level quality but just to think what he was, how much we paid for him and how highly he was rated, for him to be going to Betis is not a good thing. Kind of reminds me of many others that we had over the years like Memphis Depay and Donny van de Beek.
Huh, young players with loads of talent from the Dutch league?
Perhaps we should stay away from those 😐.
The deal itself is also not the best in my opinion. A loan with no buy option and United cover parts of his wages? If that's the case, we may as well keep him because while he may not be the best, he still is an option in certain situations.
If he goes and Rashford too and who knows what's happening with Garnacho, we will only have ONE winger, Amad. That is not enough even more so in an Amorim system where his wingers/wing-backs are so important.
If Antony or any other players who needs to leave goes, it should be a permanent move or at least one where there is a chance of a sale in the summer.
What do you make of this Antony update? Would you be happy to see him leave United? And what have you made of his time at the club?
Background Image: Antony looks set to depart Man Utd | Creator: OLI SCARFF | Credit: AFP via Getty Images Copyright: AFP or licensors via Goal