Rio Ferdinand blasts Antony for taunting Coventry's players after Man United's dramatic FA Cup semi-final shootout win as he urges senior members of the squad to warn the winger 'that don't happen here'

Rio Ferdinand has criticised Manchester United winger Antony after he celebrated in front of Coventry's players following a dramatic FA Cup semi-final shootout.

United survived a major upset after holding their nerve to win on penalties, having surrendered a three-goal advantage during a staggering second-half capitulation.

Goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes put Erik ten Hag's side in complete control of the contest but they were left shellshocked after the Championship side fought back and scored three times in 24 minutes.

Coventry even looked to have reached the final when Victor Torp beat Andre Onana, only for his effort to be disallowed by the video assistant referee for offside.

After riding out a nervy period of extra-time, United emerged victorious from the spot, with Rasmus Hojlund rifling the decisive penalty into the bottom corner. Antony was then spotted cupping his ears in the direction of Coventry's players.

United legend Ferdinand has now blasted the forward's petulant actions.

'Antony yesterday... Embarrassing!' Ferdinand posted on X.

He continued to criticise Antony further on his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel, suggesting the winger's celebration encapsulates United's current woes.  

'It's just understanding the environment, understanding where you are. It's Coventry,' Ferdinand added. 'Yeah, cupping your ears, I get that to a big team or when it has been a really feisty game where you've been involved in all the feisty moments.

'I get that. But it wasn't even that.

'I just feel we've got a team that a lot of the time don't understand where we're at and can't manage any situation in a game.

'We've all been there, let leads slip, but you need some sort of management.'

Ferdinand also admitted he would be 'embarrassed' and 'devastated' if a senior player in United's squad did not warn Antony over his behaviour.

He added: 'You'd like to see him doing it and them telling him straightaway: "Oi, you don't do that… that doesn't happen. We're lucky to be going through, it's an embarrassment we're still on this pitch".

'It's hard in the heat of it. Your timing has got to be perfect for it all to align like that.

'I would be devastated, I would be embarrassed now if there hasn't been a conversation from one of the senior players, like Marcus [Rashford] who understands United, grew up there.

'Or a Bruno [Fernandes], who is wearing the armband. Harry Maguire has huge experience. One of those guys… 

'Luke Shaw who is watching on. If one of those guys hasn't got hold of Antony and gone, "Listen, that don't happen here, man".'