Antony names the Man Utd star who urged him to STAY this summer

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 13 Oct 2025 09:27 BST
  • 4 min read
Antony, Man Utd, Real Betis
© IMAGO

Former Manchester United winger Antony has revealed that Matheus Cunha urged him to stay at Old Trafford this summer.

Article continues under the video

Antony, 25, completed a permanent move to La Liga side Real Betis for a fee of €22 million on 1 September, following a successful loan spell last season in which he registered 14 goal contributions in just 26 appearances across all competitions.

Current ETV
Player image Antony
Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis logo

Real Betis

Antony
Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

Real Betis

€40.2M

ETV Range

€36.2M - €44.2M

Upon returning to Manchester after the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign, Antony was immediately placed in the club’s ‘Bomb Squad’ by Ruben Amorim and he quickly informed the club of his desire to leave.

Betis finally reached an agreement to sign the 25-year-old on a permanent deal on Transfer Deadline Day, although Antony has now admitted that Cunha wanted him to remain at Man Utd.

“Matheus Cunha wanted me to play there with him, but the situation was already very difficult,” Antony told Spanish outlet AS. “I have a lot of affection for him.”

Cunha joined Man Utd from Wolverhampton Wanderers for €74.2m in July, following an eye-catching 2024-25 season at Molineux, but he was denied the chance to play alongside his compatriot Antony for the Red Devils following the Brazilian’s move to Betis.

Matheus Cunha wanted Antony to stay at Man Utd
© IMAGO - Matheus Cunha wanted Antony to stay at Man Utd

Antony comments on Ruben Amorim relationship

When asked about Amorim’s role in his departure, Antony admitted to AS: “I didn't speak much with Amorim; there wasn't much contact. His decision to allow me to train separately was a given. But I had to respect it.

“Today I'm fine; I took care of myself by training well even though I was apart. After three months, I played 90 minutes, and that's the result of what I was working on.”

Antony scored once and provided one assist during his only Europa League appearance of the season so far, versus Nottingham Forest, although he is yet to register a goal contribution in four La Liga matches.

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