FA Cup

WESLEY SNEIJDER says Antony should be “embarrassed” over his Coventry antics and now wants Manchester United to get hammered in the final.The shock incident came as the Red Devils narrowly avoided disaster and beat the Sky Blues on penalties to set-up a showdown with Man City in the FA Cup Final.Antony cupped his ear to taunt the Coventry players at WembleyCredit: GettyDutch legend Wesley Sneijder has slammed the Brazilian’s anticsCredit: GettyThat came after the Championship side fought back from 3-0 down to take it to extra-time and then having a late strike ruled out for offside to deny them a famous victory.Antony had been brought on just before Coventry’s first goal, and he did not step up once the match came to the shootout after Victor Torp’s 120th-minute strike was disallowed due to an offside in the build-up.Callum O’Hare had a penalty saved and Ben Sheaf fired over the crossbar, allowing Rasmus Hojlund to step-up and convert to win the shoot-out.However, viewers were disgusted to see Antony cupping his hands to his ears in the direction of the Coventry players after the final kick.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe £85million man’s actions were put to manager Erik ten Hag during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s visit of Sheffield United.And the Dutchman sensationally DEFENDED his player’s actions.Antony, meanwhile, sensationally claimed he cupped his hands to his ears in response to the actions of some Sky Blues stars during the shootout.He wrote on X: “Coventry proved why they reached the semi-final.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“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, I’ve reacted to the provocations in a natural defense of my club!”’I don’t like what I see’ – Disgusted Roy Keane blasts Man Utd and says they ‘looked like the Championship team’Antony later deleted the post.But the incident caught the attention of Dutch legend Sneijder – and he was quick to stick the boot in.He told Ziggo Sport: “Antony should be absolutely embarrassed for what he did.“He should have walked straight off the pitch instead of doing that. I hope Manchester United lose 5-0 in the final.”And even the Premier League’s “most disliked player” has slammed Antony for his antics.Brentford’s wind-up merchant Neal Maupay declared it was a step too far.Posting a clip of Antony’s reaction, the forward said: “Just for the record, not even I would do this.”Our beautiful game is brokenBy Dave Kidd
When Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
There is so much wrong.
After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more… More

MANCHESTER UNITED informed their members on Monday that more tickets were available for their clash with Sheffield United due to a “high number” of returns by season ticket holders.The message went around less than 24 hours after their FA Cup penalty shoot-out victory over Coventry.Erik ten Hag’s side scraped past Coventry at Wembley on SundayCredit: AlamyMore seats have become available at Old Trafford for the mid-week clash with Sheffield UnitedCredit: ReutersUnited received criticism from the likes of Roy Keane following their narrow escape, with the Irishman claiming they looked “embarrassed to win”.Many supporters appear to have voted with their feet ahead of tonight’s clash with Sheffield United.On Monday morning, the Red Devils informed fans that more tickets would be available for the match, following a “high number of tickets returned by season ticket holders”.Upon seeing the message, Man Utd fans were left astonished by the state their club is in.READ MORE ON MAN UTDOne wrote on social media: “I’ve supported this club all my life and I’ve never seen anything like this.”While a second responded: “Ten Hag Effects.”A third fumed: “This is why you need to fix up. Just pathetic.”And another added: “The fans are fed up of watching this c**p, nobody wants to endure another 90 minutes of this team.”Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPundits verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”

Ten Hag, 54, branded criticism of his side a “disgrace” in the wake of squeezing into the cup final.He said: “No, I absolutely can’t understand the reaction. Was it embarrassing? No, the reaction from you was embarrassing.Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United ‘got away with it’ in shootout win over Coventry”In top football, it’s about results. We made it through to the final and we deserved it. Not just in this game, but also in the other games.”But many pundits disagreed with Ten Hag’s assessment.After the game, Keane said: “They’re in the cup final, they got the job done. But every time I see this Man United team, I don’t like what I see.”They’re hard to like, they just play in moments. We talk about leadership, characters – I don’t see any of that in this Man United group.”While Gary Neville said: “There’s no explanation for how they are playing. The anger, or disappointment has gone out of many Manchester United fans’ voices. We’ve got to a point where the FA Cup is a big thing.”You’ve always said winning a trophy a season is a real achievement. But it is a bizarre experience watching Man Utd, how bad they can be in games.”Jamie Carragher added: “Performance after performance… And I would imagine that dressing room is probably the most embarrassed dressing room you could probably remember of a team that’s won.”They’re probably all just sat there looking at each other. It’s a good job they didn’t celebrate.”And Rio Ferdinand said: “Ineos, they’ve cleared the decks at the top, now they need to clear the decks at the bottom with the players,’ the former England defender added.”There are players in there who aren’t good enough, don’t know what it is to be a Man United player. There hasn’t been a culture that’s been set in there. There needs to be a new DNA set and the reset starts at the top with the new people who have come in.”Ten Hag’s Man Utd future remains in the balance, with Thomas Tuchel reportedly having been contacted this week regarding the role.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Red Devils go into their clash with Sheffield United seventh in the Premier League table, 16 points off the top four.They will face Manchester City in next month’s FA Cup final, in a repeat of last year’s showpiece which saw United lose 2-1 to Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners.Bruno Fernandes should be embarrassed by this… United fans were, says Neil CustisBy Neil Custis
BRUNO FERNANDES ended the FA Cup semi-final a man bemused as to what he had been a part of.
No doubt knowing it would be he would have to try and explain it all again.
Rarely have a team slunk away from this stadium with a feeling of embarrassment having just reach an FA Cup Final.
The next time Fernandes turns up at the home of football he wants to be heading up those metal steps and picking up silverware.
Nothing less will do for the captain of Manchester United.
But he knows they have not got a hope of gaining revenge on this cross town rivals Manchester City if this is what they are going to deliver.
This was an embarrassment, plain and simple, for Ten Hag, for Fernandes, for every player in red.
After the skipper finished his TV interview he turned around to the end that had housed the United fans to clap them in thanks.
There was barely anyone left.
Read Neil Custis’ opinion in full here.
Or click here to read all of Neil’s article. More

COVENTRY players were stunned by Marcus Rashford’s performance in their FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, according to reports.Manchester United let a three-goal lead slip against the Championship outfit at Wembley before they squeezed into the final on penalties.Marcus Rashford struggled to make an impact against CoventryCredit: RexHe was substituted before extra time at WembleyCredit: RexBut Rashford, 26, was substituted before extra time following a disappointing display as some Man Utd fans booed him off the pitch.And according to Manchester Evening News, a number of Coventry players were “startled” by the England forward’s display.One unnamed player even “sympathised” with Man Utd fans as he felt Rashford could have had an impact on the game but spent much of it on the periphery.The Man Utd man has endured a difficult campaign, scoring just eight times and providing five assists in 40 appearances.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThat is a huge drop off from his 30 goals and 40 goal contributions last season.He has also been criticised for two off-field incidents – the first of which was attending a nightclub after his side’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City in November.He then also received backlash and was fined for calling in sick to training after a night out in Belfast in January.Manager Erik ten Hag has revealed he is a doubt for Wednesday’s clash with Sheffield United.Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt comes after he was seen limping following Man Utd’s FA Cup win.He has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain thought to be in pursuit.Premier League’s ‘most disliked player’ joins condemnation of Man Utd ace Antony as he says ‘not even I would do this’But SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this month that the Ligue 1 giants have no interest in signing him.Rashford has just nine goal contributions in the Premier League this season More

JEFF STELLING has claimed Andre Onana should have been sent off during Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry.Onana was booked during normal time and picked up an additional yellow during the penalty shootout.Onana received a second booking during the penalty shootoutCredit: GettyBut Stelling believes he should have received two yellows during normal timeCredit: talkSPORTAccording to the laws of the game, yellow cards picked up during the game are reset during a shootout.This is to protect teams from not having a keeper during a shootout, when substitutions cannot be made.Onana proved to be decisive in United’s penalty victory, saving Callum O’Hare’s pen on the way to a 4-2 shootout win for United.But Stelling has explained on his TalkSPORT show that he believes Onana shouldn’t have been on the pitch to make that save.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSAfter Onana had received his first yellow for time-wasting from a goal-kick, he then wasted more time by going behind his goal and taking a swig of water.Stelling explained: “By the way, just one thing that never gets mentioned, gets overlooked, I just want to say Andre Onana shouldn’t have been on the field for the penalty shootout.”He’s been given a yellow card after 85 minutes by Rob Jones. And what does he do? He goes behind his goal, picks up his water bottle, takes a drink of water.”If Rob Jones had had any bottle, he’d have shown him another yellow card immediately because the goalkeeper was taking the mickey out of the referee.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSUnited ultimately reached the FA Cup final, but did so in an embarrassing fashion.They were cruising at 3-0 before a 71st minute Ellis Simms goal triggered a late collapse which saw the game go to extra time and penalties.Man Utd stars accused of playing up to ITV cameras with ‘classy’ gesture after FA Cup penalty shootout win over CoventryAfter the game, Erik ten Hag said: “We had control for 75 minutes and have to give Coventry a compliment for what they did in the last 15 minutes.”We have to improve. We talk a lot about this. First, you have to put yourself in a winning position but then you have to take it over the line. In these moments we are making mistakes and not keeping our responsibilities.”Bruno Fernandes should be embarrassed by this… United fans were, says Neil CustisBy Neil Custis
BRUNO FERNANDES ended the FA Cup semi-final a man bemused as to what he had been a part of.
No doubt knowing it would be he would have to try and explain it all again.
Rarely have a team slunk away from this stadium with a feeling of embarrassment having just reach an FA Cup Final.
The next time Fernandes turns up at the home of football he wants to be heading up those metal steps and picking up silverware.
Nothing less will do for the captain of Manchester United.
But he knows they have not got a hope of gaining revenge on this cross town rivals Manchester City if this is what they are going to deliver.
This was an embarrassment, plain and simple, for Ten Hag, for Fernandes, for every player in red.
After the skipper finished his TV interview he turned around to the end that had housed the United fans to clap them in thanks.
There was barely anyone left.
Read Neil Custis’ opinion in full here.
Or click here to read all of Neil’s article. More

ERIK TEN HAG is heading for the Old Trafford exit door after losing the faith of Manchester United fans.Sunday’s embarrassing display, despite beating Championship side ­Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final, was the last straw for many.Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United looks to be coming to an endCredit: AlamyOwners Avram Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe watched on as Ten Hag and his players stumbled into the FA Cup finalCredit: AlamyUnited’s hierarchy witnessed the turning of the tide in person as the Red Devils faithful streamed out of Wembley rather than celebrate a penalty shootout win which came after they had let slip a commanding 3-0 lead.Co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer were there with new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has assumed sporting control of the club. Behind him was sat new technical director Jason Wilcox.The quartet watched on bemused as United finally won on spot-kicks to scrape into next month’s FA Cup final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCoventry’s Victor Torp had a 121st-minute effort ruled out for offside by the tiniest of VAR margins.Ratcliffe has promised to restore the glory days but has failed to give Dutch gaffer Ten Hag any public backing.He has already made changes at the very top with Omar Berrada poached from Manchester City to be the new chief executive and Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth given the sporting director role.Ratcliffe’s right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford will also have a say in the football department.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNew technical director Jason Wilcox was also in attendance at WembleyCredit: GettyMan Utd’s increasingly impatient fans held up a banner demanding Ten Hag’s flops ‘play like you mean it’Credit: ReutersEven the players’ celebrations were muted after the embarrassing performanceCredit: GettyThat is increasingly looking unlikely to have Ten Hag at the helm even if he enjoys a shock final win on May 25 against neighbours City.Hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are all but over and they may not even get any European football at all next term.Erik ten Hag’s record compared to previous Man Utd managersThere is a very real prospect of a worst-ever Prem finish of eighth even with rock-bottom Sheffield United Wednesday’s visitors.Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter is the leading contender to take the job in the summer.Ratcliffe said: “The fans are impatient and I have some sympathy with that.“But it’s a journey and whether they like it or not, people have to be patient.”Bruno Fernandes should be embarrassed by this… United fans were, says Neil CustisBy Neil Custis
BRUNO FERNANDES ended the FA Cup semi-final a man bemused as to what he had been a part of.
No doubt knowing it would be he would have to try and explain it all again.
Rarely have a team slunk away from this stadium with a feeling of embarrassment having just reach an FA Cup Final.
The next time Fernandes turns up at the home of football he wants to be heading up those metal steps and picking up silverware.
Nothing less will do for the captain of Manchester United.
But he knows they have not got a hope of gaining revenge on this cross town rivals Manchester City if this is what they are going to deliver.
This was an embarrassment, plain and simple, for Ten Hag, for Fernandes, for every player in red.
After the skipper finished his TV interview he turned around to the end that had housed the United fans to clap them in thanks.
There was barely anyone left.
Read Neil Custis’ opinion in full here.
Or click here to read all of Neil’s article. More