Manchester United had to cut corners and prioritise in the winter transfer window while pleading poverty, ending with just one genuine first-team signing.
Patrick Dorgu made his Man Utd debut and looked encouraging, while Ayden Heaven is more a project than a bonafide option at this point.
More importantly, however, United held their spending in check to prepare for a big summer window where a rebuild is expected to take place.
For that, they need all the money they can get and an unexpected appreciation in value of a stressed asset is happening at the perfect time for it.
Man Utd loanee Antony starting hot at Real Betis
When Real Betis signed Antony, it was more because United had absolutely no hopes for him rather than Betis thinking they were getting a superstar.
It was reflected in the deal too, with Betis not covering Antony’s full salary and not trying themselves to a buy clause either.
However, Antony has started brilliantly at Betis, getting the man-of-the-match award on his debut and scoring his first goal for Betis in his second game.
The Brazilian has looked transformed, freed from the intense spotlight and the price tag jokes, which he had no hand in deciding!
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
In any case, what looked like a desperate move by United to shift one of the high-earning underperformers is ageing like a masterstroke after Antony’s hot star at Betis.
Man Utd’s summer transfer window can be transformed
When United sent Antony on loan for six months, they probably did so with the scenario that the Brazilian will return to the club with some games under his best to make it easier to sell him permanently.
They would have bitten the hands off of any interested parties in the winter but his stock was at an all-time low.
However, if he keeps up his form for the rest of the season, it is the best-case scenario for United because they might even be able to sell him for a profit.
Considering his transfer fee of £85 million in the 2022/23 season, three years of his contract will be done in the summer, thereby getting his book value down to £34 million.
What United would have thought would be a surefire loss on the books from Antony’s transfer might become salvageable all of a sudden if brings the house down in Betis.
At this point, even a no-profit/no-loss sale would be a blinding outcome for United. Man Utd fans will pray Antony can keep his hot streak alive.
That’s a summer bonus nobody saw coming!
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