During the summer, five individuals were excluded from Ruben Amorim’s primary training sessions until they could secure moves away from United. ..Continue Reading
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia were all considered surplus at Old Trafford and permitted to train separately only when the first-team was absent from Carrington.
Except for Malacia, who didn’t find a new destination and is now reportedly being considered for a return to the senior setup, the rest have moved on.
However, journalist Ben Jacobs claims that a number of United players—including recent arrivals—felt Antony could have contributed this season.
The Brazilian, signed for £82 million from Ajax in 2022, struggled to justify his fee at United.
He later impressed on loan at Real Betis, who made the move permanent for around £21.5 million after a short stint training again at United.
Discussing the situation on the United Stand, Jacobs said: “I’m told that some of the new signings in particular are the most disillusioned because the pitch they were given tactically and in football terms, hasn’t matched up to the reality. That is quite intriguing.
“Some of the new signings looked at the United squad, including some of the players that had gone, and thought one or two that departed might be quite conducive to their game.
“There was quite a few United players that said ‘If there was a way back for Antony to reintegrate, he would be a very good fit for this system and club’. But of course that exit was as much about Antony, as it was United.
“And then you’ve got Bruno Fernandes, who I wouldn’t call unhappy. He has a good relationship with his manager and is captain of the club, but he is unhappy with playing in that deeper role.”
After moving to Betis in January, Antony scored 10 times and provided five assists as Manuel Pellegrini’s side reached the Conference League final.
His permanent transfer was completed on 1 September following a period where he was back at Carrington, staying in a hotel and feeling “disrespected” by the club.
“They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in the hotel, training separately… I feel like they disrespected me, but that’s not the point,” Antony told Onda Cero in a new interview, as per Sport Witness.
“I don’t want to create controversy; that’s life. I’m very grateful for the club; there were bad times, but also good times, with two titles.
“My family travelled to Seville four or five days before the deal was finalised; I had the house rented.”
United aim to recover from their 3-1 loss to Brentford when they face Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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