Manchester United have been very active in the transfer market this summer, but the Red Devils now want to finalise some departures to complete their last signings. One player in particular is testing the club’s patience.
At the end of July, Manchester United officially put four unwanted players on the market with a combined value of more than £100m: Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia. Roughly three weeks later, all four remain at the club, with no departures imminent.
Antony at the centre of United’s frustration
The situation is beginning to frustrate the club. United want to complete their incoming transfers, including Carlos Baleba in midfield and Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, but need to sell first to accelerate these costly deals.
United are reportedly losing patience with one player in particular: Antony. The Brazilian winger recently rejected a third destination — Al-Nassr — and is determined to return to Spain, specifically Real Betis, where he excelled last season during his loan, scoring nine goals and providing five assists.
United threaten to sideline Antony
However, the Andalusian club have not yet accepted United’s conditions — a permanent transfer fee between €30m and €40m (£26.5m–£35.5m) — and appear willing to wait until the end of the transfer window, hoping United will accept a loan with an option to buy.
Faced with this situation, Manchester United have decided to act. According to Spanish media outlet ABC, the club “require” Antony to accept “one of the transfer offers this week”, or he will be sidelined until the next transfer window in January 2026.
To reinforce the seriousness of the threat, United have reminded Antony that being frozen out for several months could jeopardise his place at the 2026 World Cup in North America next summer. Both Manchester United and the Brazilian now hope that Real Betis will move quickly to conclude the deal.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
