As one of the world's great sporting institutions, Manchester United's DNA is based on skill, verve and entertainment.
But Antony's spinning-top showboating against Sheriff Tiraspol went too far. I don't know if it was his natural Brazilian flair coming out to play, or maybe he was simply too eager to impress United fans.
In the BT Sport commentary box, I said it was “embarrassing” because Antony was under no pressure – there wasn't a yellow shirt within 10 yards of him – and his attempted pass to team-mate Casemiro was overhit, rolling out harmlessly for a goal kick. I would also add that it was unsuitable in the moment. Sheriff may have been underdogs, but their 6-3-1 formation had smothered United up to that point and it was 0-0.
My critics on social media may argue that I could not have performed Antony's trick in my wildest dreams as a player because I would have tripped over my own bootlaces - they are probably right.
And the one time I did attempt a trick – against Patrick Vieira, of all people, in a Leicester-Arsenal game at Filbert Street – Gerry Taggart gave me a clip round the ear and told me in no uncertain terms never to try it again.
You didn't mess with Taggart, so I do wonder if Antony would have attempted his party trick if he had been answerable to the likes of Roy Keane or Gary Neville, let alone Sir Alex Ferguson, in the Old Trafford dressing room.
When have you ever seen Cristiano Ronaldo – in my opinion the greatest player of my lifetime – do that at 0-0 in a must-win game? Sure, Ronaldo was always fond of trying to bamboozle defenders with multiple step-overs, but that is a skill in its own right.
What did you think of Antony's piece of skill? Comment here
When have you ever seen Lionel Messi do what Antony did? Show me the evidence, and if I'm wrong I'll hold my hand up. And can you imagine Antony doing it again at 0-0 in San Sebastian next week, when United must beat Real Sociedad if they want to go through as their Europa League group winners?
Earlier this season, when Tottenham were running down the clock in their 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, Richarlison resorted to a 'keepy-uppy' juggling trick – and got wiped out by an unimpressed Brennan Johnson.
That doesn't make Johnson's retribution acceptable, but it's evidence that showboating can wind up opponents if it looks disrespectful.
In my career, I was lucky enough to captain four Premier League teams, and if one of my team-mates had done what Antony did, I would have hammered him in the dressing room – not for the trick as such, but the lack of end product. If it had led to a goal, or opened up the Sheriff defence, at least it would have been justifiable.
But United players are judged on what they deliver. I can remember another winger, Nani, having all the tricks of a magician's top hat, but ultimately he did not quite fulfil his potential – 40 goals in 230 games is OK, but not sensational.
As United's third-most expensive signing of all time at £82 million plus add-ons, Antony must deliver goals, assists and end product. Yes, some of the kids in the 73,000 crowd loved his spinning-top and I dare say some of them will be copying it in the playground or back yard.
But United manager Erik ten Hag has promised to “correct” Antony if his showboating serves no purpose in future, although he added: “I don't have a problem as long as it's functional.”
I'm sure Ten Hag would rather concentrate on his team replicating the intensity and tempo of their superb win against Tottenham, their resilience to find a stoppage-time equaliser at Chelsea - where they were the better side for long spells – and establishing his principles on the pitch.
After the early-season horror shows against Brighton and Brentford, it looks as if the Ten Hag era is taking root. As for Antony, if his tricks are “functional” - to use Ten Hag's word - he will stay in the team. But at Manchester United, wingers are judged on end product in the final third, not circus tricks.
