Amorim revolution set to get underway with domino effect as £80m flop to leave Man Utd

A transfer for Antony is expected now to kick off a series of moves at Manchester United as Ruben Amorim begins his revolution.

While Antony has shown flashes of promise under Amorim in limited minutes, his performances have been far from transformative. As one source put it, “the bar for him right now is right at the ground.”

Amorim’s goal is to get United competing for top honours again, and in that context, “decent” simply isn’t enough.

This reality has led United to explore offers for much of their squad, with Antony emerging as a major domino that might soon fall.

Despite his undeniable effort and commitment, the Brazilian winger’s time at Old Trafford has been widely regarded as underwhelming.

Signed for nearly £85 million from Ajax, Antony has struggled to justify his price tag. His poor raw stats have been overshadowed by even worse on-pitch displays.

Reports suggest that United have been open to offers for Antony since the summer, and the absence of his natural position in Amorim’s current tactical setup has only fueled speculation about his departure.

One club keeping a close eye on Antony is Real Betis. Their interest could become concrete, particularly after recent developments regarding their squad.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed:“The player they needed to sell, Assane Diao, is close to sealing a move to Serie A side Como for about £9 million. Diao also plays on the right wing, so replacing him with Antony could well be the move Betis are making here.”

Diao’s departure has given Betis the financial flexibility to consider a move for Antony. However, given the Spanish club’s modest resources, any potential deal is likely to involve creative arrangements, such as a loan with wage-sharing.

Despite the anger and frustration among United fans regarding Antony’s performances, the Brazilian has not been a disruptive influence in the dressing room.

This gives United room to negotiate a deal on their terms. A source close to the club explained: “A six-month loan deal would do nothing for either party and might only serve to tank the player’s value further if he fails to hit the ground running instantly.

“If that’s the deal Betis offer, United should reject it out of hand and insist on either a longer loan, a loan with an obligation to buy, or, in an ideal world, a straight transfer.”

Realistically, United will have to accept a significant financial loss on Antony. As the same source noted: “No other sane club would have offered £85 million for him in 2022 that United so gleefully did and Ajax accepted with both hands.”

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly focused on cutting costs at the club, taking a hit on Antony’s exit could be a necessary move.

A club insider summed it up:“At the end of the day, it has the potential to bring a change to the on-pitch fortunes. None of the moves Ratcliffe has made off the pitch can claim to do that.”

Antony’s potential departure could mark a symbolic turning point in United’s efforts to rebuild under Amorim’s leadership. Whether this decision sparks a larger overhaul remains to be seen.