Manchester United's dramatic last-gasp victory over Chelsea has been overshadowed by a social media storm, as stars Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes face accusations of 'disgraceful' behaviour.
The controversy erupted when Garnacho posted a photo on his Instagram story, later deleted, which captured a dejected Moises Caicedo on the turf after United's 4-3 win. The Argentine winger added two pinched-finger emojis to the image, a gesture widely interpreted as mocking the Chelsea midfielder's performance.
To compound the issue, club captain Bruno Fernandes then reposted the same image to his own vast audience of followers, amplifying the taunt before it was eventually removed.
Backlash and Potential FA Scrutiny
The online reaction was swift and severe. Fans and pundits alike flooded social media, condemning the players' actions as 'classless' and 'unprofessional'. Many questioned the leadership shown by Fernandes, whose role as captain demands a higher standard of conduct.
More seriously, the incident could attract the attention of the Football Association. The governing body has previously investigated players for social media activity deemed to bring the game into disrepute. This public mocking of an opponent may well be viewed as a breach of its guidelines on player behaviour.
On-Pitch Drama Overshadowed
The unsavoury episode threatens to eclipse what was a breathtaking Premier League encounter. United seemed to have thrown away a win after conceding two late goals, only to be saved by a stunning, 101st-minute winner from youngster Alejandro Garnacho, who headed in his second of the game.
Yet, instead of the post-match discussion focusing solely on a classic match, the narrative has been hijacked by the ill-advised actions of two of United's key players, casting a pall over their remarkable comeback at Stamford Bridge.
