While reflecting on the “bad times” he endured at Manchester United, Antony accused the Premier League club of “disrespecting” him.
The mercurial Brazilian finally concluded his unhappy stay at Old Trafford over the summer, belatedly joining Real Betis for just €22 million (£19.2 million, $25.8 million) on Deadline Day. It may have represented one of the biggest transfer losses ever suffered by the notoriously wayward spenders, yet all parties were pleased to bring an end to the association.
After spending the second half of the 2024–25 campaign on loan at Betis, Antony returned to Manchester United after the two clubs initially failed to thrash out the terms of a permanent deal. Alongside fellow outcasts Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia, the discarded forward was promptly told to find a new club by Ruben Amorim.
Forced into solo training sessions, United’s so-called “bomb squad” weren’t even allowed in the building until Amorim and the first team had left for the day.
It was this transfer limbo which Antony found particularly challenging if not insulting.
“They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in the hotel, training separately,” he told this week. “I feel like they disrespected me, but that’s not the point. I don’t want to create controversy; that’s life. I’m very grateful for the club; there were bad times, but also good times, with two titles.
“My family travelled to Seville four or five days before the deal was finalised; I had the house rented. I’ve already spoken with them; my heart told me to return to Betis.”
