‘Is Carrington that bad?’ – Antony’s reaction to seeing Real Betis facilities revealed as Man Utd flop stars on loan
ANTONY has told Real Betis he would be open to extending his loan from Manchester United by a further 12 months.
The Brazilian winger, 25, endured a nightmare stay at Old Trafford after making the £85 million move from Ajax in summer 2022.
But he agreed to join the Spanish club in a loan deal in January and so far the move has worked out well.
Betis chief exec Ramon Alarcon said: “The other day Antony told me that he wanted to stay another year.
“The player is very comfortable here and was surprised by the facilities we gave him to settle in the city as soon as he arrived.”
The statement has left many United fans questioning the supposed state-of-the-art conditions at their own HQ.
One fan fumed: “Is Carrington that bad?”
A second said: “Wow another player hinting at the under par facilities at United.”
Another added: “Surely the facilities at Betis CANNOT be better than United’s.”
One more wrote: “Maybe Cristiano Ronaldo was right.”
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
As things stand, Antony will return to United in the summer – but a longer spell in Spain has not been ruled out.
Antony’s electric performances for Betis have certainly put him in the spotlight for potential buyers.
He has already scored three goals and provided two assists in seven matches for Betis and had a straight red overturned.
The winger’s mid-season switch has reinvigorated him, and he now has designs on winning his place back in the Brazil squad.
Upon leaving United in 2022 for Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo described Carrington as “stopped in time”.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “Nothing changed, surprisingly. Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym.
“Even the kitchen, the chefs, whom I appreciate – lovely people. They stopped in time. It surprised me a lot.
“I thought I would see other things, technologies, and infrastructure.
“Unfortunately, we see a lot of what I used to see at 21, 22, and 23 years old. It really surprised me.”
It comes after United stars were reportedly stopped from ever visiting the Glazer-owned Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Red Devils have often toured around the US for pre-season, but have never been near Tampa.
However, it has now been revealed United were stopped from visiting their sister team over fears it would spark a player revolt.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden explained it was believed if players from United saw the training facilities in Tampa they would then rebel due to their own relatively poor facilities.
A United supporters’ group has unveiled plans for a protest before the club host Arsenal on Sunday, March 9.
Man Utd ratings vs Fulham
MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.
Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.
Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.
Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.
He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.
United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.
There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.
Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.
But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?