European giants could offer Antony loan route out of Man Utd | OneFootball

A number of European clubs, including Greek giants Olympiacos, are interested in signing Antony on loan from Manchester United, reports claim.

The 24-year-old has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford this season, playing just 84 minutes of Premier League football in six substitute appearances.

The appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach has done little to improve Antony's standing in United's squad, with Amad Diallo the Portuguese's preferred forward option in a system that has seen Noussair Mazraoui often deployed at right wing-back.

The Daily Mail write that Antony is on the radar of Olympiacos, who would likely be able to offer the Brazilian regular first-team football if he were to move on loan. He may, however, need United to subsidise a portion of the lofty wages he signed up for when joining for an eye-watering £86m in the summer of 2022.

"Many clubs have approached us for Antony's move in January," Antony's agent, Junior Pedroso, previously said of a potential exit.

Erik ten Hag put his faith in Antony / Stu Forster/GettyImages

"These clubs wanted to understand the situation for Antony, so I can confirm that there's concrete interest. I can say that Antony's future is very much tied to Manchester United's interests. If the club thinks it would be a good idea to loan Antony out in January so he can get more minutes and regain his trust, we will work together on that option."

Antony was taken to Old Trafford by former manager Erik ten Hag who he had impressed under during a two-year stint at Ajax. But despite a promising start to his United career, which saw him net three goals in his first three Premier League appearances - the first player in club history to ever achieve that feat - he failed to kick on, often finding himself with a watching brief from the bench.

La Liga outfit Real Betis have also been touted as a potential destination for Antony, while a move to the cash-rich Saudi Pro League has previously been mooted.

United are known to be open to allowing Antony to leave as long as the terms are favourable, with exits for Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee also on the cards after difficult starts to the campaign for both. AC Milan are interested in Rashford, while Zirkzee is a transfer target for Juventus - Dusan Vlahovic has been touted as a potential makeweight in any deal.