Manchester United star Antony has been labelled “classless”, “embarrassing” and plenty worse following his celebrations after the Red Devils’ slim FA Cup semi-final win on penalties against Coventry City.
The Brazilian winger has been a divisive figure ever since he arrived at Old Trafford, with most arguing that the club have seen nowhere enough for his hefty price tag, not to mention that moments like his trademark spinning has served as little more than a meme at Man United‘s expense.
However, it’s his behaviour both on and off the pitch that has also made him an unlikeable figure this season. Being embroiled in an ongoing domestic assault case certainly has only exacerbated his public image but it was his latest viral moment against Coventry that has now irked even more people.
United managed to blow a 3-0 lead against the Championship side on Sunday, allowing the Sky Blues to push them all the way to penalties following a catastrophic 19-minute collapse (by no means the first this year), but it was Antony’s reaction after surviving the shootout that has left people countless arguing.
These are the celebrations Antony is being criticised for as United secured their place in the FA Cup final for the second year in a row.
Several supporters, Reds included, have come out to criticise the celebrations from Antony, who decided to direct his taunts towards the opposition who shone at Wembley from start to finish even after the heartbreaking twist of fate in what was a truly epic comeback.
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While there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the game – Coventry’s last-minute penalty to tie the game and what they thought was the winner only for it to be ruled in a ridiculously tight offside, just to name a couple – there can be no question as to it going down as an FA Cup classic.
All that being said, despite the game being a dramatic delight for the neutral, Antony’s ear-cupping after Rasmus Højlund scored the winning penalty has left many with a sour taste in their mouth and his reputation dented even further.
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The backlash on social media has been pretty vocal, with the 24-year-old branded as everything from “shameless”, “embarrassing” and “a disgrace” to “everything wrong with modern football”; one person even went so far as to label him “the most hateable player” in the sport. Yep, not a very popular bloke.
This feels like the defining image of Ten Hag’s reign. Antony — a player United’s scouts rated at £25m but Ten Hag insisted the club paid £85m for, with only two goals and one assist all season — cupping his ears to the Coventry players/fans after a game like that. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/odpG1hKgXU
There are too many tweets to count when it comes to the debate Antony has sparked.
Although the vast majority have come out to condemn it as needless showboating, perceiving it as unnecessary salt in the wound to those already hurting in the stands, there are some dismissing the celebrations as simply part of the game.
Fan account Stretford Post wrote: “I have no issue with what Antony did, so what, he loves the game and loves to win, it’s emotional and we all let ourselves go sometimes. Accept the man’s personality and stop the agenda.”
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That being said, it’s fair to say the chaotic ending to the game gave the bulk of Man United fans in the stadium and watching home much to fully celebrate given the nature of their capitulation and even some of his teammates on the pitch looked reticent to run over to excitedly to Højlund after he scored.
ln fact, both captain Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire – who went straight to commiserate the Coventry players after the final penalty – were quick to acknowledge how fortunate they were to scrape through in the end, simply boiling it down a season-defining statement: “We have to do much better”.
🗣️ "Last-minute penalty… It's so harsh, his arm is down by his side."
Be it naivety or just getting swept in the spirit of a crucial FA Cup final-securing penalty shootout, the celebrations by Antony haven’t gone down well with many fans or pundits.
Former United and fellow winger Lee Sharpe told talkSPORT that while his age may have been a factor, he deemed the reaction “out of order” given how close his team came to bottling it. What did you make of the moment: perfectly acceptable given the circumstances or needless and ’embarrassing’?
It will now be a Manchester derby FA Cup final for the second year running and, one thing’s for sure, Erik ten Hag’s side can’t afford to make that many mistakes against Man City.
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You can watch the highlights from the frantic semi-final down below but, the better question is, which half of Manchester is going to leave with their hands on the trophy on 25 May?
Featured Images — BBC Sport/@MatthewStanger (via X)
Sport
The Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is coming to Manchester on a nationwide tour
Danny Jones
A prestigious piece of sporting silverware is paying a visit to Manchester as the official Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is set to embark on a nationwide tour.
Ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup(WRWC) this summer, the sterling silver, 24-carat gold-plated prize is currently being taken around the UK to help promote what has become a record-breaking competition before the games have even begun.
With more than 300,000 tickets already sold for various fixtures throughout this year’s tournament and still three months to go before opening day, more than double the total attendance for the 2021 edition in New Zealand, it’s on course to be one of if not the biggest event in the history of women’s rugby.
That being said, having the newly updated Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy land in Manchester city centre before the games themselves get underway up and down the country is a big deal, and it’s being displayed in a very special venue.
Arriving this Wednesday, 28 May, the trophy will be on show at the Central Library on St Peter’s Square, where it will also be joined by some female rugby stars.
In addition to helping hype up the action, they will be sharing their thoughts on how the sport can leave a legacy can sport can leave on communities across Greater Manchester and beyond.
1994 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, Gill Burns, as well as current England and Sale Sharks forward, Morwenna Talling, are set to be among those in attendance.
The trophy itself is set to stand outside the library, glittering in the (fingers crossed) rare Manc sunshine, as well as travelling to The Lowry over in MediaCityUK that same day, with the Salford Community Stadium serving as one of this year’s venues.
Not only is this just the second time the tournament has been held in England, but it’s the first time ever that the games have been spread across eight different sporting venues.
You can see the moment the new trophy – which was chosen by nine former world champions, including our very own 2014 winning captain, Katy Daley-Mclean – was revealed for the first time down below.
Speaking to Hits Radio, fellow England star Sarah Bern said of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: “For young girls growing up, they now have access to these amazing rugby players from across the world who they can be inspired by.
“Just showing someone something new, something different, can inspire a new generation of confident young people.”
Welsh winger Jasmine Joyce added: “This is absolutely massive. I want girls to do what they want to do, be themselves, whatever you are, whoever you are – be that!”
The 2025 WRWC is set to be their most accessible and inclusive yet, with varied and crucially affordable tickets across the board.
Prices start at just £10 for adults and £5 for children, making it easier than ever for everyone to be part of this historic moment for women’s rugby and female sport.
As for the trophy tour itself, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup arrives in Manchester on Thursday, 29 May and will be viewable outside Central Library from 10-11:30am, before heading to Salford Quays the following day (Friday, 30 May). Make sure you don’t miss it.
Founded in Los Angeles back in 2007, and making a splash on social media and growing in popularity ever since, Alo is a favourite among wellness enthusiasts and celebrities alike thanks to offering a curated collection of elevated performance and lifestyle apparel for all genders, aiming to blend the best of technical excellence with contemporary fashion.
Designed to inspire ‘mindful movement’ and ‘modern living’, the brand has a strong commitment to mind-body wellness, and even likes to call its stores sanctuaries.
Alo already has a selection of stores in London, but its move to Manchester marks the first time the brand has ventured outside of the capital to elsewhere in the UK, and has chosen to open doors at the Manchester Arndale complex, on the ever-popular New Cathedral Street.
Alo Yoga is opening its first UK store outside of London here in Manchester / Credit: Alo Yoga (Publicity Picture)
Recognised as the home of luxury brands in Manchester – with retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Hugo Boss, and Ralph Lauren already stationed there – Alo is the latest retailer to select New Cathedral Street for its first location in the city.
Alo joins the recently-announced arrivals of Arc’teryx and Represent – the latter of which opened to huge success last October – after signing a 10-year lease.
Asset managers also say Alo’s arrival showcases just how much Manchester has become a ‘magnet’ for fast-growing brands that are keen to access a premium shopper audience.
The luxury activewear and lifestyle brand is moving into New Cathedral Street / Credit: Alo Yoga (Publicity Picture)
“Alo Yoga is a fantastic addition to our retail mix,” commented Scott Linard, who is the Portfolio Director for joint asset managers M&G Real Estate.
“We’re proud to support the growth of innovative brands like Alo Yoga who are seeking high-quality, well-located space to connect with new audiences, and their arrival highlights the strength and diversity of Manchester’s retail offer.”
Steve Gray, who is the Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, added: “Welcoming Alo Yoga to New Cathedral Street underlines its reputation as one of the UK’s premium retail destinations.”
Danny Jones -
22nd April 2024 
