Revealed: How Antony can earn Man United ‘huge sum’ in Europa Conference League final – as Real Betis aim to upset Chelsea

Manchester United will reportedly be gifted a financial windfall if Antony and Real Betis upset the odds in the Europa Conference League final.

Antony will look to inspire the Spanish side against Chelsea on Wednesday night as they seek to win a first European trophy. 

The winger has been in dazzling form since joining on loan in January, scoring nine goals and adding five assists in an exhilarating few months.

Breaking down in tears, he recently admitted that he could go days without eating in his bleakest times at United after making his £86million switch from Ajax. 

But the revitalised star could give Ruben Amorim a minor boost in the transfer market if things go to plan in the final.

That’s because Spanish outlet ABC reports that Betis will owe United £306,000 as per their loan agreement if they lift the trophy. 

Manuel Pellegrini’s side want to keep the 25-year-old but will need to shell out around £30-35million and fend off competition for his signature.

The Brazilian has amazed fans with an array of stunning goals, including a 91st-minute winner against Espanyol earlier this month.

‘I’ll provide the car if he has to be kidnapped, but let him stay no matter what,’ club legend Joaquin has joked. 

Antony was roundly mocked for his performances after moving to Old Trafford to reunite with Erik ten Hag, but his recent comments suggest there was more under the surface than what met the eye. 

‘[Coming to Betis] changed a lot because I needed to find myself, because of everything I went through in my personal life,’ Antony told TNT Sports Brazil.

‘As I said, I wanted to do things, but they didn’t seem to work out because I wasn’t happy, I didn’t feel that desire to play football, and I needed to find myself and be happy again because playing football was always something I loved.

‘I went through difficult times [at Manchester United] when I no longer felt that pleasure. I even always told my brother, I told him that I couldn’t take it anymore.’

Antony made 14 appearances this season for Manchester United, playing under both Ten Hag and his successor Ruben Amorim.

But the mental toll of not being able to reach the heights he had at Ajax changed Antony as a person to the point he had fallen out of love with football.

‘[My brother] told me to hold on a little longer, that things were going to change. It even made me emotional, because they were very hard days for me,’ Antony said, reduced to tears as he recounted the story.

‘Only I know what it was like to be there at home, not having the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room.

‘So, for me it was very complicated, but thank God, with the help of my family and mainly with the help of God, I managed to get ahead and today I am very happy here.’