God. I've never seen a career turnaround quite like this one. When Antony packed his bags and headed to Seville in January, most of us football writers thought it was just another case of a big-money Premier League flop trying to salvage what was left of his reputation. Boy, was I wrong.

The Brazilian winger – who became United's second most expensive signing ever at a jaw-dropping £85.5m back in 2022 – has been absolutely reborn at Real Betis. And he's not shy about telling everyone just how much happier he is now.

The escape from Old Trafford hell

"The best decision I've ever made was coming to Betis," Antony declared recently, in what feels like a pretty obvious dig at his parent club. Ouch.

I actually watched him during his final months at United. Painful stuff. The 25-year-old looked completely devoid of confidence under Ten Hag, and things somehow got even worse when Amorim arrived. Remember that game against Bournemouth where he came on for 15 minutes and literally didn't complete a single pass? I texted my editor that night: "This guy needs a miracle or a new club."

Turns out he needed both.

Why Betis? (When bigger clubs were calling)

Here's teh interesting part that not many people know. According to sources close to the player, Antony actually turned down more lucrative offers to join Pellegrini at Betis. Several clubs with deeper pockets – and I'm talking about teams regularly playing Champions League football – were apparently keen to take a gamble on him.

But the Brazilian chose happiness over prestige.

"Although I know how talented I am, I prioritised going where I knew I'd be happy, even though I had better offers," he admitted. "It's important to score goals and provide assists but being happy is even more important."

Smart kid. Finally.

The £43m question...

United are desperate to recoup something – ANYTHING – from their massive investment. Word around Old Trafford is they'd accept somewhere between £34-43m this summer, which would still represent a loss of over £40m on their original outlay. Yikes.

I spoke with a United insider last week who told me the club has basically written him off their books already. His response when I asked if there was any chance of Antony returning to fight for his place: "Already updating the website with his 'former player' bio."

Betis want him back for another season, but Atletico Madrid are now circling too. Wouldn't that be something? From United reject to playing for Simeone in the Champions League in just 18 months.

Meanwhile, back in Manchester...

The Antony situation is just one piece of a much larger exodus planned at United this summer. Ten players could be heading for the exit door.

Evans, Heaton, Eriksen, and Lindelof are all but gone already.

But the real bombshells? United are apparently willing to sell both Rashford and Sancho permanently. Let that sink in. The two academy graduates who were supposed to represent the club's future for the next decade.

And now there's this wild Saudi offer for Bruno Fernandes – £65m PER SEASON for three years. That's insane money. I spent £4K on a family holiday last summer and thought that was extravagant.

The verdict on Antony's revival

Looking back at his United nightmare, I feel stupid now for not seeing this coming. The signs were always there that Antony needed a specific environment to thrive – one where he could express himself without the crushing pressure of that price tag.

In Spain, he's playing with freedom again. The tricks are working, the confidence is flowing, adn his teammates actually look happy to see him on the ball rather than groaning in anticipation of another failed step-over.

Listen. Sometimes a player and club just don't fit, no matter how much money changes hands. Poor Antony never stood a chance at United with all that expectation.

Whatever happens this summer, one thing's clear – we're seeing the real Antony again. Just not in red.