Erik ten Hag explains exactly why Antony mocked Coventry players after Man Utd penalty win

Erik ten Hag has explained why Antony mocked Coventry City's players after Manchester United won the FA Cup semi-final on penalties.

On Sunday Manchester United narrowly avoided an embarrassing FA Cup elimination by beating Coventry on penalties.

United threw away a 3-0 lead with 20 minutes left to play to draw 3-3 with the Championship side at Wembley, and were sparred a last-gasp Coventry winner by a marginal offside call by the VAR.

United triumphed 4-2 in the shootout, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring the winner after Coventry missed their third and fourth attempts.

United were widely criticised for their second half collapse, but one player in particular came under fire.

Antony has failed to impress since joining the club in an £86 million move from Ajax in 2022, and he did little to improve his reputation with the way he acted after Hojlund's winning penalty.

As some of the United players celebrated Hojlund's winner, the Brazilian winger was caught on camera turning round to the Coventry players and goading them with his hands cupping his ears.

Antony's reaction stood in stark contrast to that of teammate Harry Maguire, whose rather than celebrating immediately shook the hands of the distraught Coventry players.

Antony FA Cup- Getty

Speaking to media on Tuesday ahead of United's Premier League match against Sheffield United, Ten Hag explained why Antony behaved like he did.

"He was provoked, that's why this was a reaction of that, you haven't seen the provocation, only the reaction," the United manager said.

"But he should not do it. I have seen Harry Maguire straight after and others, we should acknowledge the performance of Coventry coming to that final and the comeback.

"We are 70 mins totally dominating the game by far and 3-0 must have been the game is closed but the return from their side was very good."

Ten Hag reacted angrily when asked about the negative reaction to United's win.

"The reaction from you [the media] was embarrassing. Twice [two FA Cup finals] in two years, it is magnificent.

"For me as manager, four cup finals in four years. The comments are a disgrace."

Topics: Football, Manchester United, FA Cup, Antony, Erik Ten Hag

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton