Paul Merson defends controversial Manchester United star

Antony is often one of Manchester United stars who gets into the news for the wrong reason.

After Manchester United managed to pull up a victory over Coventry City in penalty shootout, most Manchester United players were embarrassed to celebrate.

However, Antony was one of the few United players to react when Rasmus Hojlund converted the winning penalty.

Antony also decided to goad the Coventry players by celebrating in front of them and cupping his ears.

The Brazilian has been widely criticised for his actions, but pundit Paul Merson has said he deserves some slack.

Paul Merson told Sportskeeda: “My boys showed me the contrasting reactions from Harry Maguire and Antony after Rasmus Hojlund scored the winning penalty.

“One was classy and the other one wasn’t, but I don’t want to have a go at Antony.

“Maybe as a young kid in Brazil, he’d have grown up dreaming of playing a big cup final in Wembley, so his emotions probably got the better of him.

“Sheffield United are going to get relegated and literally gave up against Burnley, so I give them no chance at Old Trafford. 3-0 to Man United.”

In his defence, Antony has claimed he did to defend the club’s fans, after the United fans inside Wembley were ‘provoked’ by Coventry fans.

“Coventry proved why they reached the semi-final,” he posted on X.

“We seeked this spot in the final for our fans and we achieved.

“The way our fans were treated by their player was not nice and I, in the heat of the moment, reacted to the provocations in a natural defence of my club!”