What next for Antony? Man Utd face being ground down by Real Betis with wantaway winger in transfer limbo after setting heart on return

After seeing Antony impress on loan at Betis last season, helping them to the Conference League final, United had been hoping to find a suitor willing to take the Brazil international on a permanent basis.

Antony has no part to play in Ruben Amorim’s plans at Old Trafford, meaning that he is being left in limbo during pre-season. No formal bids have arrived for the 25-year-old, making it impossible for the Red Devils to generate the funds they crave.

According to ABC Sevilla, Betis will look to use that situation to their advantage. They have made it clear that they want to take Antony on a season-long deal that includes no obligation to buy.

It is claimed that a “strategy of attrition” is being implemented, as “Betis will wait until the end of the transfer window to secure another loan”. ABC report that “the Verdiblancos drew up a plan that is expected to be implemented only in the final stretch of the transfer window”.

If the matter does drag on towards deadline day, then Betis will discuss a purchase clause that gives them the chance to acquire Antony at a “heavily discounted rate”, allowing them to move the South American on “for a big profit” at a later date.