Rio Ferdinand slams Antony for taunting Coventry City players after penalty shootout win

Rio Ferdinand was not impressed by Manchester United winger Antony after he celebrated in front of Coventry City’s players following a dramatic FA Cup semi-final win on penalties.

United survived a major upset after holding their nerve to win on penalties, having thrown away a three-goal advantage during an unforgettable second-half collapse.

Goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put Erik ten Hag’s side in complete control of the contest but they were left shellshocked after the Championship came from behind to force extra time.

Coventry scored three goals in just 24 minutes.

After Rasmus Hojlund stood up to take the winning penalty, Antony was spotted cupping his ears in the direction of Coventry’s players.

Ferdinand not impressed

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has now slammed Antony’s actions.

Ferdinand took to X to write: “Antony yesterday… Embarrassing!”

Antony yesterday…. Embarrasing!

“That don’t happen here man” pic.twitter.com/Rf2qQ6AJHj

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 22, 2024

He continued to weigh in on Antony further on his FIVE YouTube channel, suggesting the forward’s actions encapsulate United’s current woes.

“It’s just understanding the environment, understanding where you are. It’s Coventry,” Ferdinand added. “Yeah, cupping your ears, I get that to a big team or when it has been a really feisty game where you’ve been involved in all the feisty moments.

“I get that. But it wasn’t even that.

“I just feel we’ve got a team that a lot of the time don’t understand where we’re at and can’t manage any situation in a game.

“We’ve all been there, let leads slip, but you need some sort of management.”

Ferdinand added: “You’d like to see him doing it and them telling him straightaway: ‘Oi, you don’t do that… that doesn’t happen. We’re lucky to be going through, it’s an embarrassment we’re still on this pitch’.

“I would be devastated, I would be embarrassed now if there hasn’t been a conversation from one of the senior players, like Marcus [Rashford] who understands United, grew up there.

“Or a Bruno [Fernandes], who is wearing the armband. Harry Maguire has huge experience. One of those guys… 

“Luke Shaw who is watching on. If one of those guys hasn’t got hold of Antony and gone, ‘Listen, that don’t happen here, man’.”

Somehow I don’t think Rashford is in a position (anymore) where he can tell people how to behave. He is a player who has his own issues to sort out.

However, in Antony’s defence, I must point out that emotions were high at Wembley.

We jeered all the Coventry players during the penalty shootout and wanted it to end in misery for the Championship side. Why pretend otherwise?

I know people will see ‘look at the other United players’, who I admit showed class, but everyone doesn’t need to be the same. The childish side of me found it funny from where I was stood at Wembley.

People say it’s ‘banter’ when players from other clubs do it.

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