Antony complains he spent 40 days in £175-a-night airport hotel

MANCHESTER UNITED flop Antony has revealed how he spent more than 40 days in a £175-night airport hotel as he waited for his exit from the club.

The 25-year-old joined Real Betis for £22million - three summers on from an £86m transfer to United - following a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.

However, Antony has now complained that his treatment from United before his exit was "disrespectful".

The Brazilian trained separately to the main team and shared the Delta Hotels Manchester Airport Marriott with other members of the Red Devils "bomb squad", including the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho.

Antony was stuck in limbo while United and Betis thrashed out the details of the deal, after being exiled by Ruben Amorim.

Although, speaking to El Desmarque, Antony did express his gratitude to United for the good times he had with them.

The former Ajax star said: "They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in the hotel, training separately…

"I feel like they disrespected me, but that’s not the point. I don’t want to create controversy, that’s life.

"I’m very grateful for the club. There were bad times, but also good times, with two titles.

"My family travelled to Seville four or five days before the deal was finalised. I had the house rented. I already spoke to them, my heart was telling me to return to Betis."

Antony broke down in tears when he was presented as a new Betis player to bring an end to his United nightmare.

The winger also said Betis under Manuel Pellegrini was the "best atmosphere I've ever had" and he was excited for the season ahead with hopes of landing a title.

He said: "The team is incredible. It's the best atmosphere I've ever had.

"Everyone is smiling, everyone is talking, and that makes all the difference. Everyone is always together, and that's important, too.

"I always look at happiness first, and I was very happy here. I know my children and my wife are happy here.

"Before making the decision, I spoke with my family, it's an incredible city, and the people too.

"Not just the fans, but everyone. I looked at my happiness first, because I know that when I'm happy, things turn out well.

"Money is important, but happiness is much more important."

Antony added he was dreaming of winning a title for the club, after a heartbreaking defeat in the Conference League final against Chelsea last season.

Betis have lost just one game in La Liga so far this season - winning three and drawing three - and drew 2-2 against Nottingham Forest in their Europa League opener, with Antony getting on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, his old club have won just two games this season, with a 3-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday seeing them rack up three Premier League defeats plus their historic exit of losing to League Two side Grimsby in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

However, SunSport exclusively revealed how "bomb squad" member Tyrell Malacia has been welcomed back into first-team training for the first time in almost 250 days.

United head coach Ruben Amorim said Malacia would initially return to team training with the under 21s but the Dutchman will now move back into the first team.

Club sources insist Malacia’s reintegration into the senior squad was always planned and is not reactionary amid their poor form.

Malacia has entered the final year of his contract and, unless he leaves United in the winter transfer window, he will be released next year.

The left back did not play for 550 days due to a knee problem that required two rounds of surgery and he was substituted in four of his five starts under Amorim last season.