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Real Betis midfielder Isco has suggested the club should set up “crowdfunding” in order to sign Manchester United loanee Antony for another season. The 25-year-old forward joined Betis on loan in the January transfer window and has started every match since, recording four goals and assists in 12 matches in all competitions. Advertisement He had previously started just two matches for United after Ruben Amorim’s arrival as head coach at Old Trafford in November.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Isco said he has been pleasantly “surprised” by Antony’s “humility”, noting a “change” in the forward since he joined the club. “We have to do one of those ‘crowdfunding’s to see if we can bring him back for at least another year,” Isco told DAZN . “(I’m) happy to be enjoying Antony, he’s surprised us all with the humility with which he came, his willingness to help us and what he brings.
“We’ve noticed a change since he arrived and (I’m) very happy for him, for the team and with the desire to keep doing things well.” Prior to moving to the La Liga club, the Brazil forward had scored one goal in 14 appearances for United this term, a penalty against League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. In January 2024, then-manager Erik ten Hag said Antony’s “off-field issues stop him playing” to his full potential.
The Brazil forward was under investigation by Brazilian authorities and the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after his former partner alleged he assaulted her on separate occasions between June 2022 and May 2023. Two other women also made allegations in Brazil . Antony denied all allegations.
Brazilian police ended their investigation last year. As of August 2024 , the GMP told The Athletic their investigation remains ongoing. Speaking to TNT Sports in February, Amorim said “Antony is so much better now in Spain,” citing what he felt is a lower level of “physicality” in La Liga.
Antony’s agent, Junior Pedroso responded by saying the United coach’s comments “devalued La Liga and Spanish competitions.” (Fran Santiago/Getty Images).
