The 24-year-old faced widespread criticism for his actions, particularly as his team, the Red Devils, had squandered a 3-0 lead in the final 20 minutes of normal time. Clinton Morrison’s scathing assessment on Radio 5 Live remarked, “He needs to concentrate on himself because he could be playing the Championship next season.” During a press conference, Ten Hag defended the Brazilian star by suggesting that his reaction was provoked and emphasized that the provocation itself was not observed by the public. Ten Hag also highlighted the impressive performance of the opposing team, Coventry, acknowledging their strong comeback.
Antony, who was brought in as a substitute in the 66th minute, was ineffective during the remainder of the match, contributing to perceptions that he has not lived up to his £80 million price tag since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2022. Additionally, he has struggled to secure a regular starting position and has been involved in off-field controversies. As a result of the team’s performance, they risk dropping to eighth place in the Premier League table, and their chances of European qualification are diminishing, leading to a visibly frustrated Ten Hag in the press conference, where he criticized journalists and dismissed suggestions of embarrassment over the manner of the team’s victory.