Paul Merson believes Manchester United are set to sack Erik ten Hag (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson has named the perfect replacement for Erik ten Hag and defended divisive Manchester United star Antony following his FA Cup semi-final antics.

Pressure is mounting on Ten Hag after United threw away a three-goal lead and were taken to penalties by Championship side Coventry City.

The Premier League giants eventually won to set up an intriguing FA Cup final against Manchester City, but their players were almost too embarrassed to celebrate at Wembley.

Antony was one of the few United players to react when Rasmus Hojlund converted the winning penalty, choosing to goad the Coventry players by celebrating in front of them and cupping his ears.
The Brazilian has been widely criticised for his actions – with several former United players saying it was poor conduct – but Merson says he deserves some slack.

Looking ahead to Manchester United’s next match, against bottom-placed Sheffield United on Wednesday night, Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘Man United will somehow win this and it will be another result that keeps them above the water, but something’s got to change at the club. 

?Their performance against Coventry was as bad as it gets – they can have no excuses despite making it through to the FA Cup final on penalties. 

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