Man Utd star Antony 'closing in on Turkey loan' as £72m flop set to seal imminent exit

Manchester United winger Antony is reportedly set to complete a loan exit to Fenerbahce, according to claims in the Turkish media.

The Brazilian could link up with former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho in Turkey with the country’s transfer window not due to shut for another nine days.

Antony has struggled for consistency at United and finds himself pushed further down the pecking order by the emergence of Amad Diallo as an option for Erik ten Hag.

His £72million switch from Ajax in 2022 was pushed for by the United head coach but the move has failed to work out as planned.

Despite the British transfer window closing last Friday, falling in line with the other top five European leagues, Premier League teams can still sell players to foreign teams whose transfer window remains open.

One of those nations is Turkey, whose clubs can buy players until September 13.

According to Turkish publication FotoMac, Antony is due to finalise a loan move to Fenerbahce as early as tonight. Mourinho reportedly believes the 24-year-old is an upgrade on his current options for the wide positions in his team.

Ten Hag has shown plenty of perseverance in Antony and over the summer insisted that the Brazil international still had the “potential” to shine for United.

But rumours of an exit come after a 2023-24 Premier League season in which he scored only one goal and provided a solitary assist.

Ivorian forward Amad has been preferred on the right of United’s attack this season, while Alejandro Garnacho is also considered an option for the role.

Antony has played only one minute in the top-flight this season and is seemingly considered surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

United completed a busy summer of activity and trimming another high-earning player from the wage bill will be viewed as beneficial among the hierarchy.

Around £200m was spent on five new signings, although nearly half of that was recouped from the departures of Scott McTominay, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Greenwood.

The Red Devils completed a deadline day move for defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who has joined from Paris Saint-Germain for around £50m.

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both signed in a double deal from Bayern Munich. Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee were acquired from Lille and Bologna, respectively.

Despite an overhaul of Ten Hag’s squad, United have endured a tough start to the season, compounded by their 3-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday. They have earned just three points from their first three matches.