“We understood…” Club director admits “excitement” after Manchester United bid accepted

Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has admitted that his club is very excited after Manchester United accepted their loan bid for Antony this month.

Antony has departed on loan to Real Betis for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign after his game time was significantly reduced by Rúben Amorim in the last two months.

The Brazilian winger signed for Manchester United in an £84 million transfer from Ajax in 2022 as part of Erik ten Hag’s first summer in charge at Old Trafford.

His first campaign saw the winger score 10 goals and provide five assists in 47 appearances, which many thought was underwhelming, and he has failed to recover his form that brought him to United.

The player has amassed 96 appearances for United but has scored just 12 goals in his career at the club and is set to sign for the La Liga outfit for around six months.

Betis director addresses “excitement” at Antony

Although Antony’s move is yet to be officially announced, it has been relayed many times that United have accepted Betis’ bid. Antony has been pictured at their training facility ahead of his medical, meaning it’s only a matter of time until the contract is signed.

As per Spanish outlet Marca, Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo spoke about the soon-to-be signing before the club’s La Liga match against Mallorca on Saturday afternoon.

“Antony’s arrival is exciting,” Fajardo explained. “From the sporting management and the coaching staff, we understood that we had to improve the second line of attack.

“Antony is already with us, but we must not individualise any player. For the team to achieve its objectives, both Antony and the rest of the players will have to take a step forward and demonstrate on a daily basis, from the maximum involvement and talent, to meet the objective one more year.”

Two other loan moves confirmed

Aside from Antony, United have already confirmed that two other players have departed on loan to other clubs for the remainder of the campaign.

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Firstly, Academy striker Ethan Wheatley has now signed for EFL League Two side FC Walsall. Wheatley became United’s 250th academy graduate to make their debut for the club, coming on against Sheffield United last season.

Secondly, Jack Kingdon has joined National League club Rochdale on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

This comes after it was confirmed that Ethan Ennis had joined Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the campaign, with the winger touted to be a potential part of Amorim’s squad in the future.

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