“This is shameful behavior. He should apologize for such an act. It’s good that they are considering getting rid of him” – Pundit declares as he reacts to the image that illustrates the reasons behind Manchester United’s potential decision to offload Antony and dismiss Erik ten Hag.

Antony’s provocation toward Coventry players stands out as the pivotal instance in an underwhelming tenure at United, casting doubt on the judgment of the manager who recruited him.

Finally, Antony made a memorable mark in a Manchester United jersey, a momentous contribution that is likely to define his legacy.

However, this incident may jeopardize his future at Old Trafford, especially if Sir Jim Ratcliffe follows through with his rumored “no dickheads policy” during the summer overhaul, unless Antony’s value to the team somehow offsets any disciplinary concerns.

Antony’s gesture of cupping his ear left a lasting impression on a match filled with drama. It not only spoke volumes about his character but also highlighted broader trends in modern football.

While he’s not the first player to display such behavior in the heat of the moment, his lack of awareness about the situation was striking.

He failed to grasp the context of the intense atmosphere, particularly as the underdog facing a formidable opponent, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

@sjsames1132’s comment encapsulated the prevailing sentiment across the nation: “A single image that embodies English football since 1992: an expensive flashy player from a club that feels entitled to be in finals and win trophies, mocking hardworking opponents who exposed his team’s flaws.” The abundance of scathing remarks could have easily filled a book.

Among the spectrum of sporting transgressions, reveling in the misery of an adversary stands as egregious as any. Antony’s conduct could scarcely have been more abhorrent, akin to such behavior during a parents’ match against the under-7s on a school sports day.

What made his actions even more perverse was that he wasn’t celebrating his own team’s success. He wasn’t even part of the penalty shootout.

In fact, when he entered the match as a substitute in the 66th minute for Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United already held a commanding three-goal lead and seemed destined for the final.

Furthermore, while Antony indulged in taunting the defeated, his teammate Harry Maguire displayed sportsmanship by offering consolation to the noble Coventry players.

Neutrals require little encouragement to oppose Manchester United. Not only has Antony provided ample reasons to support the opposing side in the upcoming FA Cup final, but he has also bestowed upon Manchester City a rare commodity—universal popularity, if only momentarily. This may indeed stand as his most notable achievement in English football.

Antony has become emblematic of Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford. Initially valued at £25 million by United’s staff, Ten Hag convinced the club’s hierarchy to pay an inflated fee of £85 million to acquire him.

Antony was intended to be the cornerstone of Ten Hag’s rebuilding project at United, a player capable of challenging Manchester City’s dominance.

However, it has become apparent that United would have overpaid even if they had acquired Antony for the initial £25 million valuation.

He has proven to be unsuitable for the rigors of the Premier League, drawing the ire of fans and sparking controversy after allegations of physical abuse were brought to light by three women in Manchester and Brazil.

Although no charges were filed, and one woman retracted her claims, Antony’s shortcomings in other areas already made him a difficult sell.

The “cupped ear” incident only underscores the club’s mistake in heeding a coach who continues to champion the player. If Ten Hag was unequivocally incorrect about a player he insists possesses the qualities to thrive in the Premier League, then why should any argument he presents be deemed convincing?

If Ten Hag could be so mistaken about Antony, what does that imply about his judgment regarding a team he asserts is progressing despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary? United required a narrow VAR decision in extra time at Wembley to keep them in a match they had been leading 3-0 after 57 minutes.

The fact that his team conceded three goals in the last 20 minutes to a mid-table, second-tier opponent with only one major trophy to their name aligns with the pattern of a season in which United have conceded more goals than they have scored, suffered a dozen defeats in the Premier League, and finished at the bottom of a lackluster Champions League group.

Making it to a second consecutive FA Cup final after defeating Wigan, Newport, Nottingham Forest, and Coventry on penalties does not signify progress.

Let us not overlook that Liverpool held the lead at halftime in the quarter-final at Old Trafford and thoroughly outperformed United in the second half until Antony’s late goal.

Every team has its moments of success. That was Antony’s, yet another misleading sign during Ten Hag’s tenure, which appears to be approaching its conclusion.