INEOS are hoping to get rid of the outcast Reds in the coming weeks. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Despite most top European leagues kickstarting their 2025/2026 campaigns a week today, Manchester United still have four players in their ranks that will be playing no part in Ruben Amorim’s plans.
Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho are all expected to depart before the window slams shut at the end of the month after being exiled from the side’s pre-season tour and preparations.
Of the quartet, it seems as though Garnacho is the closest to sealing his desired move away, having reached a full agreement on personal terms with Chelsea. Work still needs to be done between the two Premier League clubs to determine a suitable transfer fee, but the youngster now has his sights set on a Stamford Bridge switch.
Antony’s future: The state of play
Antony is perhaps the next on the list to have garnered the most interest; it was claimed only last month that Atletico Madrid were ‘emerging as favourites’ in the race for his signature, though nothing has materialised as of yet.
The Brazilian international rebuffed an approach from Como earlier in the window and is now set to do the same to Benfica.
According to Estadio Deportivo, he has ruled out a transfer to the Lisbon giants, as he remains adamant that he will return to Real Betis following his stellar half-season loan spell from January to May this year.
Betis deemed first-choice for wantaway Antony
Midway through 2024/2025, the 25-year-old was sent to revive his form with Betis following another lacklustre run with United.
He proceeded to look like a player reborn in the green and white of the La Liga outfit; Antony notched nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances, whilst playing an integral role in Betis reaching the UEFA Conference League final and securing Europa League qualification via a sixth-placed league finish.
An obstacle delaying his prospective return, however, is that Betis are unable to meet United’s financial demands of around £30 million. Instead, they want to take Antony on another temporary spell before potentially signing him this time next year, which poses little to no value to INEOS.
