Antony is set to return to Manchester United after his loan spell at Real Betis ended earlier this week
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Antony is set to return to Manchester United
Antony is set to return to Manchester United(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
Manchester United loanee Antony expressed his "love" for Real Betis as he prepares to leave the club and return to Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old has revived his career since joining Betis on loan in January and on Saturday, admitted he "fell back in love" with football after a difficult few years since moving to Old Trafford for £82m in August 2022.
During his time in La Liga, Antony became a key player for Manuel Pellegrini's side, who he helped reach the final of the Conference League.
But despite regularly providing goals and assists during his time in Spain, the Brazil international was not able to prevent his side from losing 4-1 to Chelsea in this week's final.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are eager to offload Antony on a permanent deal this summer to generate funds for Ruben Amorim's rebuilding plans.
And it appears Antony could be up for a permanent move to Betis after he took to Instagram on Saturday night to express his love for the La Liga outfit.
Sharing a heartfelt post on his story, Antony wrote: "(Te Quiero Betis) I love you Betis."
Meanwhile, his post for Betis read: "Today is the day to be thankful to one of the most beautiful chapters in my life. As I write this page of my story, I want to say why you have been very, very special to me.
"When I was younger, football wasn't just a dream or my only chance to change my life, like many people say. For me, it was much more than that, it was my happiness. While many saw my departure from football, I saw my arrival - the only place where I truly felt complete.
"I was counting the minutes to chase after the ball. Playing wasn’t my escape; it was my destiny. It was pure happiness.Life has taken me far, from the favela to the world. I left Brazil, played in the Netherlands, then England, and stopped being a boy to become a father. Many things have changed, but football, football has always been there.
"It was always my safe haven, until one day when everything fell apart, from heaven to hell. The ball stopped going in, my happiness began to fade, my world turned dark, and I started to doubt myself, my talent and my passion for football.
"And then, football gave me its greatest gift—you. When I arrived, I didn’t know what to expect, but not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine finding what I have. From the moment I took my first step into the club, I felt something different.
"It was like returning home - like finding the missing part of myself that I had lost. With all of you, I started to smile again. With you, I found the little boy from the past, the one who loved football with his whole heart.
"With you, football became love again - a true love. Thank you for taking me in as one of your own. Thank you for giving me back the joy of playing, and for reminding me why I fell in love with the game.
"My home. My people. Mucho Betis. Always."
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Antony has two years remaining on his current deal with United.