Manchester United winger Antony secures loan deal at Real Betis

Manchester United winger Antony has joined Spanish La Liga club Real Betis on loan for the remainer of the season.

The loan will cover at least 84 per cent of the player's wages, believed to be more than £100,000 a week, according to sources at the Old Trafford club.

The Brazilian became their second most expensive signing after Paul Pogba when he was brought to Old Trafford from Ajax by United's former manager Erik ten Hag in 2022.

But his days looked numbered after Ten Hag, a former Ajax manager, was replaced at the helm by Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim.

The 24-year-old winger began brightly under Ten Hag, scoring three times in his first three Premier League games, including on his debut in a 3-1 win against Arsenal.

But he failed to live up to that early promise and gradually fell out of favour with the Dutchman. He has featured in only 13 of United's 33 games this campaign, with his only goal coming against third-tier Barnsley in the League Cup.

Antony won the English League Cup and the FA Cup in his two full seasons and he will still be under contract at Old Trafford until 2027.

“Everybody at United would like to wish Antony the best of luck for his spell in Seville,” the club announced in a statement on Saturday.

Antony's exit could be the start of a major overhaul of the United squad by Amorim.

Alejandro Garnacho has also been linked with a move away during the midseason transfer window to boost funds to bring in players suited to Amorim's wing-back system.

United are targeting ­Lecce’s Danish wing-back Patrick Dorgu, with the ­Italian club’s asking price for the 20-year-old believed to be about £33.7m.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of United's England forward Marcus Rashford.

The home-grown star has been exiled from Amorim's match day squad since December 12 since saying that he was seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Rashford apparently rejected a big-money switch to Saudi Arabia but there has been plenty of speculation about a possible loan deal, with Serie A giants such as AC Milan, Napoli and Juventus said to be interested.

Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have also been mentioned as potential suitors, with some reporting that Rashford himself is hoping for a move to Barcelona.

United, who beat Rangers 2-1 in the Europa League group stage on Thursday, are next in action against Fulham in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Manchester United 2 Rangers 1 - in pictures