What next for Man Utd exiles Sancho and Antony?

22 hours ago 5

Soon after the final whistle blew in Wroclaw - after Chelsea had defeated Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final - two contracted Manchester United players embraced.

Both aged 25, Jadon Sancho and Antony have ended their seasons on a high but their futures remain unclear.

Sancho, who joined Chelsea on loan last summer, scored his third goal in 10 matches to help the Blues to a first trophy since February 2022.

Since his January loan move to Spain, Antony has transformed Real Betis' season with nine goals and five assists in 26 games. Despite Wednesday's final ending in disappointment for the Brazilian, Antony looks forward to re-joining the national squad under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Decisions now have to be made for two players who are in the peak years of their careers and cost Manchester United a combined total of more than £150m.

When Sancho's loan move to Chelsea from Manchester United was confirmed on 31 August, it seemed a perfect deal for all parties. The £73m signing from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021 had been going through a troubled time at Old Trafford.

Chelsea agreed an obligation to buy Sancho for a fee of around £20-25m - if they were to finish higher than 14th in the Premier League - or pay a £5m clause to get out of the deal.

When questioned about Sancho's future following Wednesday's Conference League final, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca told TNT Sports: "From now, we'll discuss it with the club. If we finish fourth, it's thanks to Jadon [Sancho], and if we win tonight, it's the same.

"It's normal to have ups and downs during a season. It's part of the game."

Chelsea did not pay a loan fee and covered just half of Sancho's reported £300,000-a-week wages - something minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe revealed in his interview with BBC Sport on 10 March - but doubts emerged whether Chelsea would make the move permanent after a return of just two goals in his first 31 matches.

Senior officials have privately refused to rule out using the £5m get-out clause - if the loan did not work out - but no decision had been made going into Wednesday's final. In the build-up to the game, reports suggested it was more likely the forward could return to Manchester, albeit momentarily.

Sancho is eligible to play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup - which starts on 14 June - but would not be able to complete the tournament, with his loan deal ending on 30 June.

So it is likely a decision will be forthcoming before Chelsea begin the month-long competition in the United States.

Such has been Antony's impact in Seville, captain Isco and former Betis winger Joaquin have joked about kidnapping the 25-year-old.

In 25 matches since he joined, Betis have won 13 and drawn eight, losing only four. The club have secured a Europa League spot by finishing sixth in La Liga and were leading 1-0 with 25 minutes remaining in Poland as they chased a first European trophy before Chelsea's fightback.

Simon Stone, BBC Sport's chief football news reporter, said: "The real problem is the price tag if it comes to a permanent sale.

"It is fairly obvious the club has no chance of getting back the £81.3m they paid for him. He still has two years left on his initial five-year contract, so for amortisation purposes, United still need to sell him for £32.52m - otherwise they make a loss."

Spanish football expert and BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague said: "Antony is already a hero in Betis. But Manchester United won't sell for less than 50m euros (£42m). Betis will be in Europe, but I think Antony belongs at Champions League level."

A future at Old Trafford is viewed as "impossible" by the club and player.

In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil, Antony said he has found happiness again and that his situation in England affected his family life, describing the period as "very hard days for me".

Meanwhile, Manchester have moved on and are close to announcing Matheus Cunha's transfer from Wolves for £62.5m.

Stone added: "We know there are going to be huge changes at Old Trafford this summer. It is impossible to think Antony will still be at the club after the transfer window closes on 1 September."

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