Erik ten Hag rated Antony as a better signing for Man Utd than Raphinha as shocking details of ill-fated £85m transfer come to light

Back in the summer of 2022 - with the Red Devils already having doubts over how long Cristiano Ronaldo would remain at the club, with his contract eventually terminated in November of that year – the decision was taken to spend big on another winger.

According to The Athletic, United expressed interest in Brazil international Raphinha, who boasted useful Premier League experience from a spell at Leeds. Ten Hag was, however, to convince the Old Trafford board that a raid should be launched on his former employers at Ajax for Antony.

Cody Gakpo, who was then on the books at PSV, also registered on the recruitment radar in Manchester. No deal was done there either, with Antony prised away from Amsterdam in the same window as Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez.

Antony has now been allowed to join Real Betis on loan, having registered just 12 goals and five assists for United through 96 appearances. He has over two years remaining on his contract, through to 2027, and the Red Devils will struggle to make much of their initial outlay back if a permanent sale is sanctioned.

In contrast to Antony’s struggles, fellow Brazil international Raphinha has recorded 22 goals and 11 assists for Barcelona this season – sparking Ballon d’Or talk – while Dutch forward Gakpo has found the target on 14 occasions for Liverpool in the 2024-25 campaign, while teeing up a further five efforts for grateful team-mates.