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Atletico Madrid to begin talks with Manchester United outcast valued at £42 million
Manchester United’s nightmare season continued at the weekend with a 2-0 defeat to fellow underachievers West Ham United at Old Trafford—marking a dismal 17th Premier League loss of the campaign for Rúben Amorim’s side.
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen found the net in a dominant display for Graham Potter’s Hammers, who leapfrogged United in the league standings with a deserved three points.
After the match, Amorim cut a dejected figure.
“We don’t have that fear anymore, and that is the most dangerous thing a big club can have,” said the Portuguese manager. “It’s a concern. It’s not the players’ fault—it’s mine. I’m responsible. If we can’t change that very soon, we should step aside and let others take our place.”
Amorim also addressed the club’s upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, May 21, downplaying its significance in the wider context.
“It’s not the biggest thing in our football club. We need to change a lot,” he said. “If we don’t adjust the way we play, perform, and approach games with urgency, we don’t deserve to be in the Champions League. We might as well stay in the Premier League and learn how to be competitive week by week.”
Atletico Madrid target revitalized Antony
Antony. (NurPhoto/Getty)
While United’s form remains in freefall, one bright spark has emerged—Antony. The Brazilian winger, currently on loan at Real Betis, has rediscovered the form that once convinced United to spend £85 million on him in 2022.
Since joining Betis in January, Antony has been superb, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in all competitions. His resurgence has helped guide Manuel Pellegrini’s team to the Europa Conference League final, where they’ll face Chelsea on May 28.
According to Football España, Atletico Madrid are now eyeing a summer move for the 24-year-old and plan to open discussions with both United and the player’s representatives.
The report suggests United would be open to a sale for a fee between £34 and £42 million—funds they intend to reinvest elsewhere in the squad. Real Betis are also interested in making the move permanent but may struggle to meet Antony’s wage demands, with the club currently only paying part of his salary, while Juventus are also said to be monitoring the situation.
While United appear open to cutting their losses and recouping part of their £85 million outlay, if Antony continues his current form, they may end up regretting not giving him a second chance at Old Trafford.
