Casemiro set for massive pay rise at Man Utd despite mixed form this season

Casemiro could be in for a significant wage increase if Manchester United clinch the Europa League title.

The Brazilian has a clause in his contract that promises him a 25 per cent salary boost if United re-enter the Champions League. If United triumph in the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21, this would mean an astonishing £100,000-a-week pay rise for Casemiro.

This would bring the midfielder's weekly earnings to a whopping £500,000 - the same amount Cristiano Ronaldo was earning during his second stint at Old Trafford, according to the Star. This potential financial boost underscores United’s high-stakes Europa League campaign, where a £100 million prize could reshape their transfer strategy.

Amid this, Antony, the 25-year-old Brazilian winger signed for £86 million in 2022, remains a polarizing figure. On loan at Real Betis, where he’s rediscovering his spark.

Antony’s journey—from Ajax prodigy to Old Trafford struggler to potential redemption—reflects United’s turbulent rebuild under Ruben Amorim. This 2,000-word deep dive explores Antony’s career, his United challenges, his Betis revival, and his uncertain future, weaving in transfer news, fan reactions, and critical insights.

Born on February 24, 2000, in Osasco, São Paulo, Antony Matheus dos Santos grew up in the tough Favela de Vila Tiradentes, where football was a lifeline. Joining São Paulo FC’s academy at 10, his pace, dribbling, and left-footed finesse stood out.

By 2018, at 18, he debuted for the senior team, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists in 52 games, earning a €15.75 million move to Ajax in 2020—a bargain for his potential.

Under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, Antony excelled in a 4-3-3, cutting in from the right with devastating effect. His 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 matches, including a starring role in the 2020-21 Eredivisie title, showcased his flair.

Viral spin moves earned him the nickname “Neymar of the Right Wing” from Dutch media, and his 2022 Champions League strike against Borussia Dortmund attracted United, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich.

Antony’s meteoric rise set the stage for his £86 million transfer to United in 2022, reuniting him with ten Hag, but the move brought challenges that tested his resilience.

Antony’s United debut was electrifying, scoring in a 3-1 win over Arsenal in September 2022, followed by goals against Manchester City and Everton. His trademark spins and curling shots hinted at stardom, but his output faltered, with only 12 goals and five assists in 83 appearances by 2024, per FBref.

Gary Neville labeled him “one-dimensional,” criticizing his predictable left-foot reliance, per Sky Sports. His £86 million fee, United’s second-highest, amplified scrutiny, especially as Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford shone brighter.Off-field issues deepened his struggles.

In 2023, domestic abuse allegations led to a leave of absence, though no charges were filed, per BBC Sport. Antony told ESPN in April 2025, “It affected me a lot,” admitting, “I could have done better.”

His work rate (2.1 tackles per 90, top 20% among wingers) was commendable, but his 0.17 goals per game lagged behind Garnacho’s 0.29, per FBref. Ralf Rangnick’s scathing critique of United’s £750m spend since 2022, including Antony, highlighted recruitment flaws, per Manchester Evening News.

Tactical mismatches didn’t help. Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 often left Antony isolated, lacking Ajax’s overlapping runs. Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, introduced in November 2024, favored wing-backs like Noussair Mazraoui, marginalizing wingers. David de Gea’s April 2025 remarks—“They didn’t help him grow”—pointed to mismanagement, per Mirror. X’s @Deji_OoniAbj called Antony “a scapegoat for United’s dysfunction,” while @kimischilling argued, “He was set up to fail.”

In August 2024, United loaned Antony to Real Betis with a £15 million option-to-buy, aiming to offload his £200,000-a-week wages, per Mirror. Initially a risk, Antony has revitalized his career, scoring three goals and adding two assists in 15 La Liga games by May 2025, per FBref.

His curling strike against Valencia recalled his Ajax brilliance, prompting Betis legend Joaquin to joke about “kidnapping” him to stay, per Mirror. Betis’ 4-2-3-1, with Youssouf Sabaly’s overlaps, suits Antony, unlike United’s rigid setups.

X posts show cautious optimism. @Utdtruthful cited Antony’s ESPN quote—“I had good moments, bad moments too”—as growth, while @mufcMPB noted Betis’ interest in extending the loan.

Betis’ financial constraints make the £15 million option unlikely, but Atlético Madrid’s €40-50 million inquiry signals interest, per @atletiuniverse. Antony’s Betis stats (1.8 dribbles per 90, 1.5 key passes) reflect progress, though his 0.2 goals per game trails elite wingers like Vinícius Jr. (0.4), per FBref.

Amorim’s Europa League focus, with United favored to reach the Bilbao final after a 3-0 first-leg win over Athletic Bilbao, prioritizes signings like Matheus Cunha (£62.5 million from Wolves) and Jonathan Tah (free agent from Leverkusen), per Daily Mail.

Casemiro’s potential £500,000-a-week deal, matching Ronaldo’s 2021-22 wages, signals investment in proven stars, per Express.

Antony, however, struggles to fit Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, which relies on wing-backs and attacking midfielders like Bruno Fernandes (six assists) and Garnacho, per The Athletic.

United’s finances, burdened by a £1 billion debt and £300 million in transfer fees owed, demand sales. Rashford’s potential £40 million Barcelona move and Casemiro’s Al-Nassr links, backed by Ronaldo, highlight wage-trimming needs, per Mirror.

Antony’s £10.4 million annual salary makes him a candidate, especially with Garnacho, Amad Diallo, and 16-year-old Chido Obi-Martin (two U18 goals) competing for wing roles.

X’s @UtdDistrict predicts Antony’s “permanent exit,” but @RubenAmorimx suggests, “Betis form could earn him a second chance.”

Antony’s Betis loan ends in June 2025, with his United contract until 2027. Three paths loom: a permanent Betis move, a United return, or a transfer elsewhere.

Betis’ interest in extending the loan depends on United lowering the £15 million option, as their €30 million budget targets other players, per Marca. Atlético’s €40-50 million interest faces United’s £50 million valuation, per @atletiuniverse.

A United return is challenging. Amorim’s system doesn’t suit Antony’s one-dimensional style (1.2 shots per 90, low for wingers, per FBref), but his Betis form and pressing could secure a squad role if Rashford departs.

Paul Scholes’ warning about United’s “toxic” environment stifling talents like Antony is a concern, per Mirror. A Saudi move, alongside Casemiro and Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, seems unlikely given Antony’s European ambitions, per Express.

Antony’s United stint mirrors broader recruitment failures, as Rangnick’s £750m critique suggests. His £86 million fee, driven by ten Hag’s Ajax loyalty, overvalued an unproven talent, akin to Jadon Sancho’s flop.

Betis’ revival proves Antony’s potential—his 1.8 dribbles per 90 rival Garnacho’s—but United’s tactical rigidity and off-field turmoil, from allegations to cultural issues, derailed him.

De Gea’s support and X’s @Utdtruthful calling Antony “misunderstood” highlight a player caught in United’s chaos.

Amorim’s Europa League push, potentially yielding £100 million and Champions League football, could reshape United, but Antony’s niche role struggles for relevance. Cunha’s signing and Tah’s talks prioritize immediate needs, leaving Antony on the fringes unless he adapts. Betis offers a lifeline, but financial and competitive hurdles cloud his path.