Antony set for Real Betis medical as Manchester United exit nears

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Real Betis to send Antony on loan to the La Liga club for the rest of the season.

The Brazil international has travelled to Spain for a medical on a straight loan, without any option or obligation for Betis to buy him, but with them paying the vast majority of his wages.

United, who paid £85m for Antony when he joined from Ajax in 2022, will save at least 84 percent of his salary for the remainder of the season, with the potential for that to rise in bonuses.

The 24-year-old is the second most expensive signing in United’s history but has not started a league game this season, playing only 135 minutes in eight substitute appearances.

A favourite of former manager Erik ten Hag, who had worked with him at Ajax, he lost his place under the Dutchman and has only begun two matches under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Antony has only scored 12 goals in 96 appearances for United, with just five in 62 Premier League games, and they were willing to sanction his departure even when there is uncertainty whether Marcus Rashford will be loaned out this month.

However, United also need to raise money to try and recruit and they are in talks with Lecce about a €30m (£25m) deal for Denmark international Patrick Dorgu.

The 20-year-old left-back is seen as a potential wing-back for Amorim’s system. Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, are enduring a disappointing season and are only 12th in LaLiga, while they came 15th in the Europa Conference League group stage.