Two Manchester United players had polar opposite reactions immediately after the Red Devils avoided a stunning FA Cup upset at the hands of Coventry City.
Erik ten Hag’s men came close to crashing out of the FA Cup after a resilient Coventry City mounted a formidable comeback in the semi-final tie.
Manchester United were comfortably leading Coventry in the second half at Wembley on Sunday before suffering a complete collapse late on in the tie.
Goals from Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and Haji Wright in regular time ensured Mark Robins’ men went to extra time and subsequently penalties to settle the match.
United were fortunate to reach the penalty shootout in the first place after VAR ruled out what could have been a potential winner for Coventry in extra time.
Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund ensured the Red Devils’ place in the final after he stepped up and slammed home the winning penalty for United at Wembley.
Casemiro was the only United player to miss from the spot-kick, while Ben Sheaf and Callum O’Hare both failed to convert their penalties for Coventry in the shootout.
United manager Erik ten Hag had his blushes spared after the Red Devils scrambled over the finishing line, with a crestfallen Coventry falling short of the final.
Two Man Utd players’ reactions post-penalties
Manchester United will be heading to Wembley in May for their FA Cup final showdown against defending champions Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag’s men faced Manchester City in the FA Cup final last season and the Red Devils suffered a 2-1 defeat to their crosstown rivals.
The Dutchman will be hopeful of avoiding a repeat in his second consecutive FA Cup final, with Ten Hag facing mounting criticism over United’s lacklustre season.
Following the penalty shootout against Coventry City, two United players received different receptions for how they acted in the aftermath of the result.
The Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, shared the reactions of Antony and Harry Maguire from the match.
Harry Maguire, who partnered alongside Casemiro in defence, was spotted walking over to the Coventry players and shaking hands with them after United won.
However, Antony was spotted turning to Coventry players and ‘cupping his ears,’ with the United star widely criticised on social media over his reaction.
Ten Hag asked about Antony’s reaction
Antony came off the bench in the second half and replaced Alejandro Garnacho, with Ten Hag criticised by fans over the substitution decision when United led 3-0.
The 24-year-old Brazil winger offered very little during his time on the pitch and his post-match celebrations only stoked the fierce criticism of him further.
Ten Hag was asked for his feelings on Antony’s actions after the shootout and the United manager admitted he didn’t see how the United star had acted.
“I haven’t seen that, so I can’t comment on that, but I know we have a big respect for Coventry City and what they did,” he said, as per the Metro.
“But also we have to see our performance, which was very good up until 70 minutes.
“There was a drop-off but we showed determination and resilience to be in the final and that’s a big achievement.”