Real Betis’ Sporting Director Manu Fajardo has hailed Antony as the  ‘best signing’ in the club’s history.

It came after the forward notched a late equaliser to clinch a crucial point in Betis’ Europa League opener at home to Nottingham Forest, who led 2-1 up until Antony’s leveller.

How Antony has fared in Spain

He also set up Cedric Bakambu for the side’s first of the night, making it no surprise that the Brazilian earned the highest Sofascore rating (9.1) of any player on the pitch.

 At the start of the month on deadline day, United confirmed that Antony had completed a permanent move to the Spanish outfit in a five-year deal.

Negotiations had been ongoing between all parties throughout the summer to facilitate a season-long loan plus buy option/obligation. However, talks collapsed when the player was demanding that the final two years of his contract be paid off.

With Betis desperate to bring him back to the Villamarin Stadium following his five-month loan spell, they attempted to revive the deal by submitting a £21.65 million bid and including a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the proposal, to which United accepted.

It meant United took a direct £60m hit on the £82m they shelled out for Antony back in 2022, and he left Old Trafford with 12 goals and five assists to his name in 96 appearances. 

Despite things not working out for him in M16, the 25-year-old has enjoyed a new lease of life in Seville, whilst the club couldn’t be more delighted to have him back in their ranks.

Antony hearns high praise from Betis chief

“I am 100% sure that maybe Antony is the most important signing in Betis’ history,” said Fajardo, as cited by ESPN.

“Everything [about the signing] because the talent, the level of the player, the level of the club as Manchester United – a big team, a big project, so I am 100% sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis’ history.”

Diogo Dalot has returned to full team training ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Brentford on Saturday.

The Red Devils occupy this weekend’s early kick-off slot when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium in their penultimate fixture before yet another international break.

It’s the first time United have faced the Bees since Thomas Frank departed for Tottenham Hotspur, with Keith Andrews chosen to succeed the long-serving Dane in West London.

As well as that, Bryan Mbeumo is poised to start against his former club following six years under Frank, during which he became an integral part of the squad and oversaw his most prolific form – hence United forking out £65 million to prise the Cameroonian from their ranks over the summer.

Diogo Dalot involved in pre-Brentford preparations 

It remains to be seen whether Dalot will instantly be restored to the side now that he’s back to full fitness.

He has been sidelined since the start of the month when he withdrew from international action with Portugal due to muscle discomfort.

Prior to that, he featured in the first three games of the campaign, starting against Arsenal and Burnley and coming off the bench for a 38-minute cameo during the draw to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The full-back, previously hailed as United’s ‘unsung hero’ by BBC Sport journalist Josh Lobley, has been deployed from the off for 32 of a possible 39 matches that he’s been at Amorim’s disposal, so you’d imagine he’d be reintegrated into the starting XI sooner rather than later.

What’s next for United? 

After the Bees encounter, Amorim’s Reds will take on newly-promoted Sunderland at Old Trafford next weekend in a 3pm kick-off.

When club action resumes in mid-October, a meeting at Anfield with the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool, awaits United.

Barcelona are reportedly happy to accommodate Marcus Rashford, but his stay beyond the current campaign remains unguaranteed.

The 27-year-old has been at odds with Ruben Amorim since the latter’s arrival at Manchester United in November 2024. Following a spell on the sidelines, Rashford was sent on loan to Aston Villa in January, but the Birmingham-based club opted against paying £40 million to exercise their option to buy the striker.

Nevertheless, the Villans’ snub turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the England international who ended up sealing his dream move to Barcelona. The versatile attacker joined the Blaugrana on loan with an option to buy for £26 million.

Barcelona have been ‘delighted’ with Marcus Rashford

In recent days, it has been revealed that Hansi Flick has dropped the English striker from the starting lineup after arriving a few minutes late to training. While this episode earned Rashford some backlash amongst British pundits, Barcelona appear to be much more forgiving.

According to Sky Sports, the Catalan giants have been ‘delighted’ with the player’s performances on the pitch, even though they have yet to make a final decision on his future.

As the source explains, Rashford’s future with the LaLiga side heavily depends on two crucial factors.

The two factors that could decide Rashford’s fate at Barcelona

First, the Manchester native can help his case by proving his ability to fill in the centre-forward role, which is currently occupied by Robert Lewandowski.

The Polish legend is 37 and is running on an expiring contract. Hence, Barcelona must find a heir for the former Bayern Munich star, so it remains to be seen if Rashford can offer himself as a suitable solution.

Second, the Blaugrana must ensure that they can afford to cover the salary of the Man Utd academy product for years to come. The club’s FFP struggles have been well-documented over the past few years. They would likely have to juggle once more and make room by selling some of their current players.

Rashford has thus far produced two assists in his five LaLiga appearances, but his most memorable display for the Blaugrana has been against Newcastle United on the opening day of the Champions League, as he stunned the Magpies by netting a fabulous brace.

Alan Shearer has slammed Marcus Rashford after the forward was late to a Barcelona meeting last week.

The on-loan Manchester United star has enjoyed an impressive start to his life in Spain after making the move from Old Trafford back in July.

How Marcus Rashford has fared for the Catalan giants so far

It’s thought Barcelona will look to make Rashford’s move permanent at the end of the campaign so long as he continues his stellar form, which has seen him return two goals and an assist in his first six appearances of the term.

Two of those goals came in the Blaugrana’s Champions League opener away to Newcastle United last Thursday night, during which the forward netted a brace to seal a crucial three points against fierce opposition.

Both of Rashford’s finishes were outstanding, but the second, in particular, was scintillating. 

Fast-forward three days later, and the 27-year-old was dropped from Hansi Flick’s starting XI for a La Liga clash vs Getafe. 

It was revealed that the reason behind Rashford’s initial absence was that he had reported two minutes late to a squad meeting held by the coach last week; his teammate Raphinha has also suffered the same fate already this season and was consequently benched earlier this month.

Shearer slams ‘sensational’ Rashford as ‘unprofessional’

Rashford responded in the exact way Flick hoped he would, coming off the bench for the second half and assisting Dani Olmo for Barcelona’s third of the evening.

Yet, Shearer has still taken fault with the incident that led to the United graduate being dropped in the first place.

“We know that if Rashford is ready and, if his attitude is right, then there’s a player in there. He was sensational against Newcastle,” the former Magpies icon told Betfair, as cited by SportBible.

“But you can’t be unprofessional. Why should everyone hang around just for you? Why should everyone else be on time but you be late? It’s not right. I guess if he wants to stay there, particularly only being on loan, you can’t do that when you’re at a top club like Barcelona because there’ll always be someone to take your place.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re two minutes late or 20 minutes late. You’re late and your teammates have to wait for you. Why should they all be on time and you not?”