EXCLUSIVE: Ruben Amorim is due to conduct a clear-out in his first summer at Manchester United, and Antony is widely expected to depart despite a quality Gary Pallister likes in him
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Hannibal Mejbri, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Amad and Antony
Manchester United misfit Antony may be headed for a permanent exit despite at least one redeeming quality
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Old Trafford misfit Antony has been told his future lies in foreign football rather than at Manchester United, despite the positive mindset he continues to show.
It's an attribute Ruben Amorim could do with a lot more of. But while the Brazil international has shown a transformed version of himself on loan at Real Betis, it's perhaps not enough to salvage his future in England.
That's according to Red Devils legend Gary Pallister, who believes the discarded winger was a victim of his own style at United. At the time of his loan departure in the January transfer window, £82million Antony held the reputation as arguably one of, if not United's worst signing of all time.
The South American had huge expectations upon his shoulders when former Ajax mentor Erik ten Hag brought him to the club in 2022. However, Antony had just 17 direct goal involvements - 12 goals and five assists - in 96 appearances for United before being sent to Spain.
He's close to already matching those numbers in just 22 outings for Betis, scoring eight goals and registering five assists in that time. But of United's loaned-out assets, Pallister believes Antony's mental approach is not what's lacking.
"You've got [Marcus] Rashford out on loan, you've got [Jadon] Sancho out on loan, you've got Antony out on loan. Is there a way back for them guys? I don't know," he told the Manchester Evening News (via William Hill Vegas).
"I think Antony is probably better suited to the football that he's playing out in Spain. I liked his attitude when he was here and I know he got a bit of stick, but he was always game, he was always up for a fight.
Antony Matheus dos Santos of Real Betis Balompie celebrates with his teammates reaching the final at the end of the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis
Antony has looked back to his best since being loaned to Betis(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"It didn't really work from him here. Some people are better attuned to the foreign kind of football rather than the Premier League."
Many fans would be inclined to agree with that assessment based on what was seen of the player. He has become a key cog on the right flank under former Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini, playing a major role in guiding Los Verdiblancos to a Europa Conference League final.
And yet the trickster seemed all too often confounded by defences on English shores, where opponents had a relatively easy time fending him off. Antony's reliance on his left foot frequently found him struggling to have any impact, and his chances weren't helped under Amorim.
It helps that United already have a ready-made alternative to pick up the mantle on the right wing in Amad. The Ivorian has really found his stride at United over the past 12 months, having been loaned out himself before being forced to battle several difficult injuries.
Ruben Amorim, head coach of Manchester United, looks on with Antony of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Southampton
Ruben Amorim's patience with the Brazil international may have run out
One dilemma for United lies in how much to hold out for if they were to sell Antony, whose value has plummeted since arriving for an eye-watering fee. Recent reports indicate United have already rejected Betis' attempts to secure a permanent deal, suggesting any offered amount hasn't met their valuation - yet.
The Red Devils are supposedly seeking around £40m for his signature, roughly half what they paid for him almost three years ago. The player is clearly a fan of his new club after telling Mundo Deportivo moving to Seville was "the best decision" he ever made.
Betis' spending power will naturally rest heavily on whether the club successfully qualifies for next season's Champions League. Pellegrini's side need to finish in La Liga's top five in order to do so but are currently sixth in the standings and three points off the pace.