After Manchester United’s stunning victory over Barcelona, Alejandro Garnacho appeared to mock Catalan starlet Pedri after the final siren.
Erik ten Hag’s team rallied from a deficit to triumph convincingly 4-3 on the road and 2-1 on the night to advance to the round of 16 of the Europa League.
The guests took an early lead thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s penalty, but United roared back after the break, with Fred tying the score just two minutes into the second half and Antony volleying in the game-winning goal with 15 minutes left.
Garnacho, a second-half substitute with freshly bleached Draco Malfoy-style hair, was seen imitating Pedri’s “binoculars” celebration as United’s player celebrated with the crowd. He then added salt to the injury by posting the picture on social media after the game.
Fans, unsurprisingly, loved it; one called his actions “proper s***housery.”
Another supporter wrote, “Absolutely savage from Garnacho.” I friggin adore this, wrote a third person, and a fourth added, “Proper wind up merchant, you love to see it.”
Pedri, who was out due to illness, has been making the “binoculars” celebration all season. Joshua Kimmich, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, received similar criticism when he imitated the celebration following his team’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona in October.
With the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday and the FA Cup match against West Ham three days later, United’s victory keeps the possibility of an improbable quadruple alive.
The distance between them and league leaders Arsenal has also been narrowing; the Gunners are now only five points ahead of United and two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, despite the fact that the Gunners have a game in hand over both teams.