'His arrival is exciting' - Real Betis chief reacts to signing Manchester United winger Antony

Real Betis' sporting director has described Antony's arrival from Manchester United as "exciting."

There were high hopes for Antony when he signed for United in a £86million deal from Ajax in the summer of 2022, but he failed to replicate the form he showed in the Netherlands.

Antony contributed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances and has scored only once in the Premier League since April 2023. The Brazilian's time in Manchester didn't go as planned, although he now has an opportunity to breathe life into his career at Real Betis.

Antony completed a move to Betis on loan until the remainder of the season last weekend and sources have said the Spanish club are covering a minimum 84 per cent of his salary.

Betis have also agreed to cover any potential bonuses that are achieved in Antony's contract and the winger will be hopeful of getting back to his best under manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Former Manchester City and West Ham boss Pellegrini guided Betis to a seventh-placed finish in La Liga last season and Antony has been signed to strengthen his attacking options.

Betis' sporting director, Manu Fajardo, described the 24-year-old's arrival at the Benito Villamarin as "exciting", but reiterated the team will have to pull together to improve their league position.

Fajardo told Marca: "Antony’s arrival is exciting. From the sporting management and the coaching staff, we understood that we had to improve the second line of attack.

"Antony is already with us, but we must not individualise any player. For the team to achieve its objectives, both Antony and the rest of the players will have to take a step forward and demonstrate on a daily basis, from the maximum involvement and talent, to meet the objective one more