The article contains affiliate links and will receive a commission on any sales generated from it. Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag may hope that minority owners INEOS look beyond the Red Devils’ capitulation against Coventry as he bids to keep his job beyond the summer. Ten Hag remains at risk of the sack if INEOS decide that an FA Cup final appearance is not enough for him to remain in the Old Trafford hot seat.
The message from coaches would have been to pick a spot and be sure of scoring to avoid embarrassment. Casemiro, United’s first taker, attempted to take Coventry goalkeeper Brad Collins down a few levels by dinking the ball down the middle, but Collins stayed central and batted the effort away. It came after a poor showing at centre-back for the veteran alongside Harry Maguire, in which he left too much space for Ellis Simms to begin Coventry’s second-half fight back.
In Antony’s time on the pitch, United squandered a three-goal lead and were lucky to see a fourth Coventry goal ruled out for offside. Antony had four shots, of which none found the target. He then goaded Coventry’s players and fans after Rasmus Hojlund’s shootout-winning penalty.
Alejandro Garnacho gave way for Antony in the 65th minute and for the third time in recent weeks, United let a lead slip after the Argentine departed the action. Antony’s lack of contribution this season raises questions about Ten Hag’s repeated use of the 24-year-old. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been forced to play on his unusual left side in recent months due to United’s defensive injury crisis.
However, he struggled against Coventry and conceded the late penalty which Haji Wright converted. Just when the Red Devils needed cool heads to see out a 3-2 victory, Wan-Bissaka’s flailing right arm prevented a cross from finding the penalty area, resulting in a penalty that could have been avoided.