Manchester United star slammed for 'baby-level, ugly, unsportsmanlike' behaviour

Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Andre Onana, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen of Manchester United react to conceding a penalty during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and F.C. Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 24, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho has faced heavy criticism for his actions during their Champions League win over Copenhagen on Tuesday night. 

With the score 1-0 deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, referee Marco Guida awarded Copenhagen a penalty after Scott McTominay raised his boot high against Mohamed Elyounoussi. During the VAR check, players surrounded the referee, remonstrating over the foul - except for Garnacho. 

Instead, the Manchester United winger was busy scuffing the penalty spot, attempting to make the surface more difficult to take a spot kick from. Andre Onana subsequently saved from Jordan Larsson, in what proved to be the last action of the match as the Red Devils won 1-0. 

Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and F.C. Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 24, 2023 in Manchester, England.

Maguire scored the winner for Manchester United (Image credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Copenhagen captain Viktor Claesson clearly didn't agree with Garnacho's behaviour, suggesting that while it likely didn't have an impact on Larsson's strike, it's not something he should have done.

"It's unsportsmanlike," Claesson told Danish outlet Bold. "It's not something I stand for or would do, but if he's done it, he's done it. I don't think that was what decided whether he missed or scored."

Former Arsenal forward Kim Kallstrom agreed. While working as a pundit for Swedish broadcaster TV4 Play, Kallstrom slammed the Argentine for his actions. 

Alejandro Garnacho scuffing the penalty spot while playing for Manchester United against Copenhagen

Garnacho was seen scuffing the penalty spot (Image credit: TNT Sports)

"What an ugly type..." Kallstrom said. "That's so childish. It's such a baby-level thing."

Following their win, Manchester United have now moved to third place in Group A of the Champions League. Bayern Munich have won all three games and seem guaranteed to qualify for the knockout stages, but the second spot is still up for grabs. 

Galatasaray are currently second with four points, United third with three, and Copenhagen are bottom with a solitary point. Each team still has three games remaining, however, with anything certainly possible.

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Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.