Pre-season preparations at Old Trafford are reaching fever pitch as Ruben Amorim and his staff finalise plans ahead of the Premier League opener against Arsenal.
The club’s summer transfer business has already brought in fresh faces, with United balancing incomings against the urgent need to trim a bloated squad.
While attention has been drawn to the fitness of key players returning from injury, there’s been just as much intrigue surrounding those whose futures remain unresolved.
Across Europe, several United players are attracting interest, with offers being quietly assessed behind closed doors.
The Saudi Pro League continues to hover with tempting bids, while Turkish clubs are actively probing for opportunities to secure out-of-favour stars.
Yet the clock is ticking, and for one high-profile winger, the situation has escalated dramatically.
Manchester United have issued a stark ultimatum to Antony: accept one of the current transfer offers on the table before the Premier League season kicks off, or face being frozen out until January, as per Al Final de la Palmera.
Club chiefs are furious at the Brazilian’s determination to engineer a return to Real Betis, suspecting the La Liga club are deliberately stalling to force a late-window loan deal.
United’s preferred route is a permanent sale in the €30–40 million range, with Turkish and Saudi sides prepared to meet the valuation.
Betis, meanwhile, are only pushing for a loan with an option or obligation to buy a percentage of the player’s rights next year, hoping to leverage his value post-World Cup 2026 qualification.
Manchester United are unwilling to be drawn into this game of brinkmanship, knowing they can recover at least half of their original €95 million outlay elsewhere.
Antony, contracted until 2027, would need to extend his deal for a loan arrangement — another complication.
His insistence on Betis as the only destination is limiting options, with United now signalling they’re prepared to play hardball.
The winger’s visible hints — such as training in Betis colours while on holiday — have already ruffled feathers in Manchester.
As Betis president Angel Haro put it, “It’s a complicated deal… United also has a lot to say.”
But with United’s deadline fast approaching, Antony’s next move could decide whether he plays football this autumn — or spends months watching from the stands.
