Manchester United loanees Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho have all been offered a possible lifeline by head coach Ruben Amorim heading into the summer window.
Two of the three are currently thriving after being given the green light to leave the club in the January transfer window, as Rashford has found safe haven at Aston Villa after his falling-out with Amorim.
The England international has produced four goals and six assists from 17 appearances for Unai Emery's side, and he is expected to make the first XI in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Antony hit the ground running at Real Betis and now boasts five goals and four assists in 18 games for Manuel Pellegrini's side, who will soon face Fiorentina in the Conference League semi-finals.
On the other hand, Sancho has found the going a bit tougher at Chelsea this season, but the 25-year-old has still managed a respectable three goals and 10 assists from 34 matches for Enzo Maresca's team.
Amorim "really happy" with Rashford, Antony loan displays
© Imago
In spite of Rashford's eye-catching displays in particular, it has been difficult to envisage Amorim reconciling with the 27-year-old, leading to the expectation of a permanent exit this summer.
Neither Antony nor Sancho appear to fit into the Portuguese's 3-4-3 shape either, but speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth, Amorim left the door ajar for the trio to prove their worth to United.
"All the players on loan will return and then the club will decide what to do at the end of the season. When you put a player on loan the best thing is for them to perform," Amorim said.
The 40-year-old also highlighted the benefit to Man United when players whom they have loaned out perform well elsewhere, adding: "All these [loan] players have talent and they have to put that on the team.
"The talent of Rashford, the talent of Antony, they all have talent. We are really happy because if you put players on loan you want them to perform. That is good for us."
The latest developments surrounding Rashford, Antony and Sancho
© Imago
If Rashford impresses Aston Villa chiefs enough, the Lions can trigger a £40m option to keep him on a permanent basis, although the club have not yet decided whether they will take up that option.
The player himself also does not plan to make a final decision on his future until the end of the season, as he is supposedly hopeful that Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain might come in for him too.
Meanwhile, Real Betis may struggle to afford Antony's services permanently, but The Telegraph claims that the La Liga side could try for another season-long loan deal instead.
Finally, Chelsea's £25m obligation to buy Sancho from Man United has supposedly now been triggered, but the West London club can still choose to pay a £5m penalty fee instead and send him back to Old Trafford.
If the latter scenario comes to fruition, all is not lost for Sancho, who is rumoured to be on the radar of another surprise Premier League team.
Ben Knapton
