Cunha’s Controversial Celebration and Its Implications for United

Matheus Cunha was seen celebrating his impressive 87th-minute goal by shouting towards a television camera, though the exact words he used remain unclear. However, reports indicate that part of his language was explicit, a point echoed by Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury, who apologized for any inappropriate language heard during the celebration.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Cunha may face repercussions for his actions, as Football Association (FA) regulations classify “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures” as grounds for disciplinary measures. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game specify that while referees may not always hear players swearing during matches, the FA has the authority to impose retroactive penalties if the incident is captured on camera and widely broadcast. The FA considers swearing directly into a camera as a “clear and deliberate” act of misconduct that could tarnish the game’s reputation.

Currently, Cunha can celebrate alongside his teammates following Manchester United’s second consecutive victory. He also contributed an assist in the team’s 2-0 win over Manchester City the previous week, marking a successful beginning for caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who has taken over from Ruben Amorim.

“This is the kind of game you dream of playing and being a part of,” Cunha stated to Sky Sports after the match. “It was definitely one of my favorite moments wearing this shirt.”

Since joining United from Wolves last summer, the former Atletico Madrid player has made a significant impact, accumulating seven goal contributions in 20 Premier League appearances. Carrick praised Cunha’s influence during his post-match press conference, noting, “It was a good start to the second half, and then Matheus came on and made a substantial impact, similar to last week. He created a goal last week, and I had a strong feeling he would score again. His finish was fantastic and exemplifies the group’s performance this week. Although Matheus has not started both games, he has made a significant impact and channeled his disappointment in a positive way.”

With United currently sitting in fourth place in the Premier League standings with 38 points—12 points behind leaders Arsenal and ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool—Carrick’s squad is now preparing for two critical home matches, the first against Fulham on February 1, followed by a match against Tottenham.