Before Antony: United facilitate first January departure as club confirms it’s now official | OneFootball

It’s been a quiet month for Manchester United on the market, with the remaining fortnight now looking crucial in whether Ruben Amorim can salvage something from the tumultuous campaign.

Conclusions to Alejandro Garnacho’s and Marcus Rashford’s transfer sagas are expected to materialise in the coming days, with the former primed to be the subject of a formal approach from Chelsea after Napoli saw their £40 million bid rebuffed. As for the latter, it now seems as though he could be staying put at Old Trafford – despite being exiled from the team’s action for 10 successive matches.

Antony has sealed a move to Real Betis on loan and has already flown to Spain to finalise his switch. There is no buy option included in the terms set by United, meaning he will return to Old Trafford in the summer in hopes of revitalising his stagnant Red Devils career in 2025/2026.

While supporters wait for his exit to be announced, one departure has already been set in stone this morning in the form of young prospect Ethan Wheatley, who has joined League Two outfit Walsall on a temporary transfer.

Wheatley to spend second half of 24/25 with League Two leaders

Wheatley has enjoyed prolific form for United’s youth teams in the last two seasons. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The 19-year-old forward, who earned the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award upon the culmination of last season, has left to gain some crucial first-team experience after being unable to break into Ruben Amorim’s set-up. He did, however, make a five-minute Carabao Cup cameo against Leicester City when Ruud van Nistelrooy was at the helm in October.

Prior to that, Wheatley accumulated three senior appearances under Erik ten Hag in 2023/2024 – all of which came off the bench in the Premier League. He featured in a 4-2 win over Sheffield United, a 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace and a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Walsall sit 12 points clear atop the table heading into their clash with Bradford City this afternoon.

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