Manchester United winger Antony has impressed since his loan move to Real Betis, and the Spanish club are not ruling out trying to keep him beyond the end of the season.
The Brazilian winger has featured twice, turning in a player of the match performance on his debut against Athletic Bilbao then opening the scoring at Celta Vigo in a match his side went on to lose 3-2.
It was his first goal since he contributed to United’s 7-0 demolition of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup in September last year, the only one he managed for the Red Devils this season before his January departure.
And while there is a long way to go, Betis chief executive Ramon Alarcon indicated to Cadena Ser’s Radio Sevilla that he could look to retain Antony’s services come the summer, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Asked if the loan move could be made permanent, he answered “I think so. The other day the CEO of United called me.
“We sent them all the moves and details of the player throughout the week so that they can see that we are looking after their asset. There is very good chemistry with Manchester [United] and with the player.
“It is a possibility that he will continue next season, why not?”
The current loan deal does not include an option to buy, so the 24-year-old will be heading back to United in the summer, at least briefly.
As it stands there appear to be no plans to reintegrate the Brazilian, who was a flagship signing from Ajax for Erik ten Hag but came to represent the club’s terrible transfer business.
Antony cost more than £80m, and in 96 appearances for United managed just 12 goals and five assists while largely looking out of his depth in the English top flight.
There is no doubt that United’s forward line is in a state of flux, with Marcus Rashford also sent on loan at the start of this month and the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling desperately for form.
But despite this it is hard to see a scenario where the player battles his way back into Ruben Amorim’s plans, after the Portuguese tactician gave him a fair crack of the whip as a number 10 and as a wing-back.
Thus, Antony’s most valuable contribution for United going forward is likely to build up his value over the rest of the season with some good performances to help secure funds to back Amorim’s wholesale overhaul of the squad.
Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
