Man Utd Star Risks Suspension After Wild Celebrations Against Arsenal
Manchester United continue to celebrate their spectacular triumph over Arsenal from the weekend, though the player behind the winning goal, Matheus Cunha, might face disciplinary action after being recorded using profane language following his decisive strike.
A dramatic late equalizer from Mikel Merino was quickly cancelled out by a brilliant effort from Cunha, who netted his fifth Premier League goal for United to secure a 3–2 win over the Gunners on Sunday night.
Cunha's spectacular strike marked the Red Devils' second consecutive victory under Michael Carrick's leadership, defeating both fierce rivals Man City and now league leaders Arsenal—who hadn't suffered a home defeat in nearly nine months.
United have positioned themselves firmly in contention for Champions League qualification following Cunha's match-winning performance. Nevertheless, the Brazilian forward may face time on the bench if the English Football Association chooses to impose sanctions.
Why Matheus Cunha Could be Suspended for Arsenal Celebrations
Why Matheus Cunha Could be Suspended for Arsenal Celebrations
Following his winning goal, Cunha sprinted toward the corner where United's away supporters were positioned at Emirates Stadium. He performed dance movements resembling surfing motions, then approached the crowd and shouted the phrase, "The f------ biggest," directly at a television camera.
The profane comments were audible during Sky Sports' live coverage of the match, causing commentator Peter Drury to quickly apologize for the inappropriate language.
FA regulations specify that "using offensive, insulting or abusive language" constitutes an offense warranting dismissal. Since 2013, the FA has been empowered to pursue retrospective disciplinary measures for incidents initially missed or captured on camera and broadcast publicly.
In 2011, Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney received a two-game ban for cursing directly into a camera after completing his hat-trick against West Ham. Rooney subsequently missed the 2011 FA Cup semifinal, where United suffered a 1–0 defeat to Man City.
No official word has emerged regarding whether the FA intends to penalize Cunha's profane outburst. However, Cunha attempted to downplay the incident by captioning his post-match Instagram post: "The freaking biggest."
Whatever the outcome regarding a possible suspension, Cunha's goal and subsequent celebration became an internet sensation, earning acknowledgment from a former United player who also delivered a memorable celebration at the Emirates.
Jesse Lingard Reacts to Cunha's Emirates Heroics and Celebration
Jesse Lingard Reacts to Cunha's Emirates Heroics and Celebration
The Emirates dance floor is open again for Manchester United players, and the dress code is once again black. pic.twitter.com/FgWLDSBoYX
Among the most popular responses to Cunha's celebratory Instagram post after the Arsenal victory was a comment from former United forward Jesse Lingard. The ex-England international simply posted a surfing emoji, referencing Cunha's dance routine.
Before Sunday's triumph, United hadn't claimed victory at Emirates Stadium in Premier League action since 2017, when Lingard scored twice in a 3–1 victory.
Notably, Lingard celebrated one of his goals with a smooth "Milly Rock"—a trendy and widely-shared dance craze of that era.
Remember Jesse Lingard's celebration when @ManUtd last won at the Emirates in the Premier League? 🕺 pic.twitter.com/uFIsTQEKG4
Two years later in January 2019, Lingard netted the decisive goal at the Emirates during United's 3–1 FA Cup victory over Arsenal. He celebrated with the legendary "moonwalk" dance, later mocking Arsenal on social media by labeling the Emirates Stadium location as the "dancefloor."
Precisely seven years after Lingard's moonwalk, Cunha revived United's dance tradition at the Emirates with his "surfing" celebration.
The outcome? A blow to Arsenal's championship aspirations and three vital points for United that could prove essential in their quest to return to Champions League competition.