The 18-year-old United Academy product re-enacted two of Ronaldo’s celebrations: a silencing gesture and another pointing to the ground. The latter was first celebrated by Ronaldo in May 2022 sending a message to his fans that he was here to stay at United.
Despite the young star’s career at Old Trafford is not under question, speculations are that he pulled them off after his lacklustre performance in the previous fixture.
He had failed to make an impact when the Whites were hosted at their home stadium last week.
Starting the game and missing a couple of chances including a one-on-one against Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier, Garnacho was not having his best day on the field.
He was replaced by Jadon Sancho at minute 59 who turned the game in United’s favour.
Social media had taken its toll post-match and the teenager had liked some hate-mongering tweets from United fans himself.
He was dropped from the starting line-up in the reverse fixture at Elland Road.
Subbed on at 0-0, Garnacho must have felt a need to redeem himself. After a stunning header from none other than Marcus Rashford, he put up a show to ‘shush’ his doubters.
Picking up a pass from Wout Weghorst, he sent the ball in a smashed strike in Meslier’s near post. A wonderful finish. He followed suit in his much-admired veteran striker Ronaldo’s antics by replicating his ‘shush’ celebration at the away end.
Garnacho clearly sent a message to his home fans for their criticism.
Garnacho has declared the Portuguese talisman as his inspiration and role model in the past. His dream of playing with the striker was fulfilled in the first half of the previous season.
However, this sweet company did not last long after Manchester United and the superstar went their ways last November.
Garnacho had played a seminal role in United’s FA Youth Cup win – their first in a decade – before making his appearance for the top-flight team.
He was benched for the whole of the pre-season and most of the first half of the season. Bruno Fernandes later cited attitude problems as the reason for this.
However, he took this opportunity to fuel his aspirations. He displayed his prowess with a couple of assists in important EPL fixtures, two in the third round of EFL and a goal in the last game of the group stage in the Europa League.
Then, the first disappointing match happened against the Whites at Old Trafford. In the return leg, now we all know what happened. “I’m here,” Garnacho’s celebration said. Adding, “and there’s nothing you can do about it,” subtly to the onlookers on the away side.
