Since making a temporary switch to Real Betis during the January transfer window, Antony has wasted no time in making an impact. The Brazilian winger has already contributed three goals and an assist in just four matches, a stark contrast to his challenging stint at Manchester United.

Antony, who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022 for a hefty £85 million fee, never truly found his rhythm in the Premier League. Across 96 appearances, he managed only 12 goals and five assists, failing to justify his price tag. With United looking to cut costs and offer him a fresh start, a loan move to Real Betis became the perfect opportunity.

Now thriving under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, Antony is rediscovering his best form. His recent standout performance included a goal and an assist in Betis’ commanding 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad in LaLiga. The winger credits his resurgence to his new environment, stating, “I wake up every day with a smile!”

Speaking to Betis TV, Antony emphasized how his happiness has translated into improved performances. “The most important thing is that I have found myself again,” he explained. “I am enjoying every moment, and when we are happy and content, things naturally fall into place. I have worked hard, both mentally and physically, to be at this level.”

Despite the evident contrast between his struggles at United and his current success in Spain, Antony remained diplomatic about his former club. “I had great moments in Manchester too. I won two titles and I am very grateful for that,” he acknowledged. However, he couldn’t help but highlight the stark difference in atmosphere. “Here, I feel at home. The people remind me of Brazil, and even the sunshine makes a difference. I’m truly happy here.”

While Antony is still under contract with Manchester United until June 2027, his revitalization at Real Betis raises questions about his long-term future. With his resurgence in Spain, it remains to be seen whether United will welcome him back with open arms or if a permanent move away is on the horizon.

Manchester City’s hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 took a major hit after squandering a 2-1 lead at home in the first leg against Real Madrid, ultimately losing 3-2. Despite the setback, manager Pep Guardiola believes there’s still a slim chance of a comeback, and City’s recent additions could be the key to making it happen.

Guardiola admitted that City’s prospects of advancing are just “one percent,” but the English champions will cling to any hope they can find. The defeat in the first leg was part of a worrying trend this season, with City’s veteran squad struggling to maintain intensity in high-stakes European fixtures.

A Change in Transfer Strategy
Recognizing the need for reinforcements, City departed from their usual transfer approach by spending big in the January window. They brought in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez for a combined fee of £170 million ($214 million).

Despite these significant signings, Guardiola opted against using them extensively in the first leg. Marmoush came off the bench for a brief cameo, while Gonzalez and Khusanov remained unused substitutes. Reis wasn’t even registered for City’s Champions League squad.

However, Guardiola may now be rethinking those decisions after the trio played a starring role in City’s dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday—arguably their best performance of the season.

Fresh Faces Shine Against Newcastle
Marmoush stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, finally providing City with another clinical attacking option to support Erling Haaland. His sharp finishing and movement offered a glimpse of what he could bring to City’s attack in Madrid.

Meanwhile, Khusanov bounced back impressively from his nightmare Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, where he made a costly mistake and nearly got sent off. Against Newcastle, he displayed the speed and defensive awareness that convinced City to invest £33 million ($42 million) in his potential. His ability to neutralize Newcastle’s Alexander Isak suggests he could be crucial in dealing with Real Madrid’s rapid attackers, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.

Perhaps the most significant boost, however, came from Nico Gonzalez. The former Barcelona midfielder provided much-needed stability in the middle of the park, an area where City have struggled since losing Rodri to a serious knee injury in September.

Gonzalez: A “Mini Rodri”
Guardiola has already dubbed Gonzalez a “mini Rodri,” and his impact was evident against Newcastle. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed that sentiment, highlighting the balance he brings to the squad.

“The team looks far more composed with Gonzalez in midfield,” Richards said. “City have plenty of attacking firepower, but they need someone to anchor things in Madrid. Gonzalez gives them a real chance.”

Can City Overcome Their Champions League Struggles?
Even at their peak, Manchester City have often struggled to get the better of Real Madrid in the Champions League. This marks the fourth straight season that the two clubs have met in Europe’s elite competition. City’s only triumph came last year when they dismantled Madrid 5-1 on aggregate en route to their first-ever Champions League title.

However, their history with Madrid includes painful memories. In 2022, they were minutes away from reaching the final before Rodrygo’s dramatic stoppage-time double forced extra time, sending Madrid through instead. Last season, City dominated large portions of their quarter-final ties, but Madrid ultimately prevailed on penalties.

Guardiola’s Reality Check
Despite Saturday’s emphatic win, Guardiola remains realistic about his team’s struggles this season.

“Our performances have been far below our usual standards,” he admitted. “We’ve been miles off the pace. Just because we played well in one game doesn’t mean everything has changed overnight.”

Yet, while Guardiola acknowledges the odds are stacked against them, he insists City won’t go down without a fight.

“If you asked anyone before this game, they’d say we have just a one percent chance. But as long as there’s a chance, we’ll give everything we have.”

With their season on the line, City will be hoping their January reinforcements can provide the spark they need to pull off a miracle in Madrid.

Manchester United have invested heavily in their squad throughout the 2024/25 season, aiming to rebuild for both immediate success and long-term stability. However, despite the financial outlay, results on the pitch have been far from encouraging.

Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium marked their 12th Premier League defeat of the season, leaving them languishing in 15th place. With eight losses in their last 12 league matches, discussions about relegation—something once unthinkable for a club of United’s stature—have started to emerge.

Though they currently sit 12 points above the drop zone, the fact that relegation is even a topic of conversation highlights the club’s ongoing struggles. United are now on course for their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era, a sharp decline from their disappointing eighth-place finish last season, which had already drawn criticism.

Big Spending, Bigger Questions
Since last summer, Manchester United have spent over £200 million on six first-team signings, yet their performances have only deteriorated. This raises serious concerns about how such a significant investment in new players has failed to produce positive results.

The club brought in five new signings to suit the vision of former manager Erik ten Hag. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was sacked before the end of October. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, immediately sought to reshape the squad, introducing his signature 3-4-2-1 system.

Amorim’s tactical approach relies heavily on wing-backs for width and attacking support, making those positions among the most crucial in his setup. Recognizing a glaring weakness on the left flank, United addressed the issue in the January transfer window by signing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for an initial fee of £25 million. The Danish wing-back was seen as the first key component in Amorim’s tactical overhaul, but additional reinforcements will be needed to bring his vision to life.

A Crucial Summer Transfer Window
With significant squad changes required, the upcoming summer transfer window is set to be one of United’s most pivotal in recent years. Reinforcements will be necessary in several areas, particularly in the striker position, as goal-scoring remains one of the team’s biggest weaknesses.

United opted not to sign a striker in January, instead prioritizing a major acquisition in the summer to strengthen their attack for the 2025/26 campaign. However, they have already made one move in preparation for next season.

The club has secured a deal to sign 17-year-old Paraguayan defender Diego Leon from Cerro Porteño for £3.3 million. The highly-rated youngster, who visited Old Trafford last month to finalize his move, will officially join United in the summer.

Investing in the Future
Since acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United last year, INEOS has emphasized scouting and securing young talent. Deals for promising prospects like Chido Obi and Sekou Kone highlight their commitment to long-term squad building.

Leon, much like Obi and Kone, is viewed as a player with first-team potential. Despite being just 17, he has already made 19 senior appearances for Cerro Porteño and is a regular at the international Under-20 level. On Sunday, he scored the winning goal in Paraguay’s 3-2 victory over Argentina’s Under-20s, marking his first goal at that level.

While it remains to be seen how Leon’s career at United will unfold, the club wasted no time in securing his services with a pre-contract agreement. Given their track record of developing young players, United are optimistic that he could establish himself as a future first-team regular.

A natural left-back, Leon arrives at a time when United have struggled in that position. Alongside Dorgu, he could provide a long-term solution to a problem that has plagued the team for years.

At an initial cost of just £3.3 million, this signing represents a relatively low-risk investment that could yield significant rewards. If Leon lives up to his potential, United may have pulled off an incredibly astute piece of business.