Man Utd
Antony’s resurgence at Betis: praised as a mix of Neymar’s flair and Cristiano’s drive
Antony has rediscovered form at Betis, praised as a blend of Neymar flair and Cristiano focus. anew.
Antony’s career took a marked turn after a difficult spell at Manchester United, with his loan to Real Betis sparking a clear on-field revival. Signed on loan for the second half of last season, he was an immediate influence and was voted MVP in each of his first two outings in green and white, having managed just one Player of the Match award across 62 Premier League appearances.
Under Manuel Pellegrini the forward found space and freedom. He finished the campaign with nine goals and five assists as Betis secured sixth place in La Liga and advanced to the Conference League final. Betis captain Marc Bartra has been among the loudest admirers. “For me, he has that Brazilian quality and talent,” Bartra gushed to MundoBetis. “I always say he’s a bit of a mix of Neymar and Cristiano: that Cristiano mentality of always striving for more and being incredibly focused.”
Those comparisons will resonate with Antony, who has long cited the La Liga greats among his inspirations. “The art of Ronaldinho and Cristiano and Neymar inspired me as a child,” he told The Players’ Tribune in 2022. “I watched these Gods in amazement on stolen WiFi, then I went out to the concrete pitch to try to imitate their genius.”
Bartra attributes part of Antony’s transformation to a shift in environment and mentality. “I also remember it very well from my experience when I came from [Borussia] Dortmund. I arrived in the winter, and it was like a shot of something special, a feeling of respect and affection from minute one.
“I saw him the same way, in that win-win situation, you could say. Betis won with him, and he won with Betis.
“I felt very connected to him, and on top of that, you could see that the team has a wonderful group of people who give you your space, your place, make you feel good, and have fans who love them.”
Antony’s time at Old Trafford had begun with early goals, including strikes in each of his first three Premier League appearances, but produced only two more goals over the following three years. His stint in England was also overshadowed by allegations of domestic abuse that emerged in September 2023; Antony denies all accusations. “I think that, apart from my football life, my personal life got in the way a lot, because of the things I went through, the moments I lived there,” he explained to ESPN Brasil last season. “Like it or not, it’s affected me a lot.”
A return to Betis in the summer followed, despite reports of a more lucrative move to Bayern Munich, and Antony explained his motivation plainly: “I always look at happiness first, and I was very happy here,” he said when explaining why he opted to return to Betis in the summer despite being supposedly offered a more lucrative move to Bayern Munich.
Man Utd
Man Utd Target Crysencio Summerville as Left‑Wing Options Are Weighed
Man Utd assess Crysencio Summerville as one of several left-wing options, West Ham face sales. soon.
Manchester United are “paying serious attention” to West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville as part of their search for a left-sided wide player this summer. Sources suggest the club view Summerville as one of several candidates while evaluating alternatives and squad options.
Summerville, 24, drew fresh interest after an impressive World Cup showing against Japan in which he scored and offered a combative display off the ball. The Athletic reports Manchester United have “enquired” about his situation. At an estimated $67.1 million (£50 million) he sits at the lower end of the price range compared with other reported targets.
Other names United have considered include Yan Diomande, Iliman Ndiaye, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola. Leipzig are likely to demand about $116 million (€100 million, £86.5 million) for Diomande, a figure that would place him well above Summerville and potentially push any move beyond the immediate window. Barcola has been linked amid reports of frustration over his minutes at Paris Saint-Germain.
Domestically, reintegrating Marcus Rashford remains a discussed option within the club, although it may be regarded as a last resort. Michael Carrick has not ruled out that path while also acknowledging the desire to add a new wide player.
Summerville’s form last season included a run of four successive Premier League goals in January after an indifferent start to 2025–26, but a minor injury in March interrupted his momentum and reduced his influence in the closing weeks.
West Ham paid roughly half of the reported United valuation to sign Summerville from Leeds United in 2024. Relegation has increased the likelihood of interest in the club’s top performers, a list that also contains midfield target Mateus Fernandes and attacker Jarrod Bowen.
Daniel Křetínský, the incoming principal shareholder at West Ham, has insisted the club will not sell for financial reasons. “We have a very credible strategy,” Křetínský told The Times. “We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.”
Barcelona
Rashford’s Options After Barcelona Decline: Return, Sell or Stall
Barcelona declined to trigger Marcus Rashford’s purchase clause; he returns to Manchester United 2026
Barcelona have opted not to trigger the purchase clause for Marcus Rashford, making the temporary move effectively over and leaving the forward to return to Manchester United once his World Cup duties with England finish. The decision on June 16 closes one chapter but opens several possible outcomes for the 28-year-old.
Rashford enjoyed a productive season at Barcelona, making 49 appearances and recording 14 goals and 14 assists. He impressed primarily on the left wing while also filling in on the right and as a central striker, his versatility a feature that first attracted interest.
Early in the campaign a permanent deal for around €30 million seemed straightforward, but the narrative shifted. Barcelona’s subsequent €70 million signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United demonstrated the club had transfer funds available. Reports suggest the real sticking point was amortization and the financial impact spread over contract years, with Gordon viewed as having a more favourable effect on the club’s accounts partly because he is three years younger than Rashford. Inside Camp Nou the view is that Gordon’s defensive work rate better suits Hansi Flick’s tactical demands.
Despite choosing Gordon, Barcelona remain open to Rashford if circumstances change. They reportedly tried to negotiate a lower fee with United and were prepared to agree terms for a reduced price, but Manchester United declined further discounts and gave an unenthusiastic response to suggestions of a second loan. Barcelona’s stance is that Rashford is welcome back, but not at the club’s current valuation.
Reports indicate Rashford would welcome a return to Barcelona, yet his fate hinges on United lowering their demands. La Liga sources believe Barcelona are counting on Rashford refusing other offers to force United into a choice: pay his reported weekly wages of around $435,000 or reopen talks.
Rashford’s exit from United originally occurred under former manager Ruben Amorim. The environment at Old Trafford has since changed, with Michael Carrick now in the dugout permanently. A return to Manchester to rebuild has been floated and remains possible, likely driven by necessity rather than preference.
Other clubs linked in speculation include Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. According to The Athletic, United have a clause making Rashford available for $54 million (£40 million) this summer to all suitors except Liverpool and Manchester City. The player reportedly prefers not to remain in England with another Premier League club if it is not with Manchester United.
AC Milan
Amorim to Milan: What the Move Means for Manchester United’s Preseason
Amorim’s move to AC Milan reduces United’s compensation and focuses attention on Aug. 15 friendly. .
Reports that Ruben Amorim is negotiating to become AC Milan manager change more than compensation figures for Manchester United. Amorim’s time out of work is not expected to drag on, with Saturday coverage identifying him as the preferred candidate to take over at AC Milan this summer. As noted by The Telegraph, an anticipated agreement with Milan will spare United from paying the full share of their compensation to the Portuguese tactician.
United finalised their preseason schedule earlier this month, electing to stay in Europe for the first time in 24 years to help players respond to a summer full of World Cup action across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Opponents listed for the Red Devils’ preparations include Wrexham (July 18, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland), Rosenborg (July 24, Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway), Atlético Madrid (Aug. 1, Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, Sweden), Paris Saint-Germain (Aug. 8, Ullevi Stadium, Gothenberg, Sweden) and Leeds United (Aug. 12, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland).
United will round out their preparations with a friendly against AC Milan. United and Milan will lock horns at Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland, on Aug. 15, and all the signs suggest it will be Amorim leading the Italian outfit. While few conclusions can be drawn from preseason fixtures, supporters will demand a positive result against their former boss and many will watch how Milan adapt under Amorim and to the 3-4-2-1 formation to which he appeared so wedded during his tenure at Old Trafford.
The match will also offer a first public assessment of the rivalry between the two men responsible for United’s recent transition. It will be a chance for newly appointed permanent United manager Michael Carrick to take on his predecessor, having overseen drastic improvement compared to Amorim’s time in charge. The fixture therefore carries financial, tactical and narrative significance for both clubs as they head into the new season.
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