Erik ten Hag claims he didn’t see Antony taunt Coventry City players after Manchester United’s dramatic FA Cup semi-final victory but insists he and his team have ‘big respect’ the Sky Blues.
United required a penalty shootout to narrowly beat their Championship opponents, who play one league below the Red Devils in the second tier.
Rasmus Hojlund scored the decisive spot kick and £86m flop Antony immediately turned to Coventry’s players and antagonised them by cupping his ears.
Antony was slammed for his behaviour with former Coventry striker Clinton Morrison suggesting the Brazilian wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship.
The 24-year-old has massively struggled at Old Trafford this season but in the build-up to the game, he attempted to defend his woeful performances.
‘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,’ Ten Hag said when asked about Antony, before quickly changing the topic.
‘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.’
Ten Hag, who Jamie Carragher tipped to be sacked after the clash, admits that his players have ‘mixed feelings’ following the win over Coventry.
‘It’s mixed feelings,’ the Dutchman added. ‘We can be happy with the achievement, getting to the final, that’s huge.
‘Even the big Manchester United only achieved it three times and we achieved it twice in two years. We need to win that final though. When we are 100 per cent in it then we can do it.
‘I want to win it. I’m sure we have a good chance to win this final, although we play the best team in the world (Manchester City).
‘We do have a chance though. We showed that this season. This season has had many ups but also many downs. Winning the FA Cup doesn’t make it successful, we want to win more.’
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