Player Man United sold for cut-price fee now deemed ‘the best signing’ in club’s history

Real Betis’ Sporting Director Manu Fajardo has hailed Antony as the  ‘best signing’ in the club’s history.

It came after the forward notched a late equaliser to clinch a crucial point in Betis’ Europa League opener at home to Nottingham Forest, who led 2-1 up until Antony’s leveller.

He also set up Cedric Bakambu for the side’s first of the night, making it no surprise that the Brazilian earned the highest Sofascore rating (9.1) of any player on the pitch last night.

At the start of the month on deadline day, United confirmed that Antony had completed a permanent move to the Spanish outfit in a five-year deal.

Negotiations had been ongoing between all parties throughout the summer to facilitate a season-long loan plus buy option/obligation. However, talks collapsed when the player was demanding that the final two years of his contract be paid off.

With Betis desperate to bring him back to the Villamarin Stadium following his five-month loan spell, they attempted to revive the deal by submitting a £21.65 million bid and including a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the proposal, to which United accepted.

It meant United took a direct £60m hit on the £82m they shelled out for Antony back in 2022, and he left Old Trafford with 12 goals and five assists to his name in 96 appearances. 

Despite things not working out for him in M16, the 25-year-old has enjoyed a new lease of life in Seville, whilst the club couldn’t be more delighted to have him back in their ranks.

“I am 100% sure that maybe Antony is the most important signing in Betis’ history,” said Fajardo, as cited by ESPN.

“Everything [about the signing] because the talent, the level of the player, the level of the club as Manchester United – a big team, a big project, so I am 100% sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis’ history.”