Manchester United offloaded one player from Old Trafford who will help his new club to “continue growing in Europe” and play a key part in the project they are building.
The Red Devils are currently 11th in the Premier League table and Manchester United will return to action away from home against Brentford on Saturday.
Ruben Amorim was able to strengthen his United first-team squad in the summer with several new signings, including Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
The 40-year-old United manager was also able to offload players who were surplus to requirements as part of a major overhaul of the Red Devils’ squad at Old Trafford.
The likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were shipped out on loan, while others like Alejandro Garnacho and Antony were sold in permanent deals.
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty ImagesReal Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo makes a major claim about former Man Utd star Antony
Antony did not feature in Manchester United’s pre-season tour after the 25-year-old Brazilian winger returned from his impressive loan spell at Real Betis in July.
The Brazil international had to wait until deadline day to complete his move away from Old Trafford, with La Liga side Real Betis finally landing United flop Antony.
Antony has made three appearances for Betis since his summer move and the former United star made an impact for his side against Nottingham Forest.
The ex-Ajax star registered an assist and netted the all-important equaliser for his side’s 2-2 Europa League draw at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville on Wednesday.
Speaking after Antony’s performance for Betis against Nottingham Forest, sporting director Manu Fajardo hailed the acquisition of the Brazil winger in the summer.
“I am 100 per cent sure that maybe Antony is the most important signing in Betis’ history,” he told the PA Media news agency, as per Goal.
“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 per cent sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis’ history.”
Manu Fajardo says former Man Utd star Antony is one example of the project that Real Betis is rolling out
According to BBC Sport, Betis landed Antony from United for an initial fee of £19.06m and agreed a further £2.59m in add-ons for the transfer deal.
It has been added that United included a hefty 50 per cent sell-on clause in Betis’ transfer of Antony and the Red Devils did not have to pay off the Brazilian either.
Manu Fajardo insisted that Antony is one example of what Betis is working towards in the future by establishing itself as a “serious” team in European club football.
“When players like Antony come to Betis, it’s very, very important,” he added.
“It helps Betis to continue growing in Europe. Last season, since Antony arrived, we got to play in a European final.
“Antony, players like Gio [Lo Celso] and Isco, are very, very important because they are the example that Betis continues growing, that we are a serious club in Europe and players in the top level want to come to play in Betis.”
Antony endured a disastrous spell at United after his big-money move from Ajax and the winger scored 12 times and picked up five assists in 96 matches for the club.