MANCHESTER United’s Alejandro Garnacho and André Onana have hit the headlines following a tweet celebrating the keeper’s match-day heroics on social media.
The episode has resulted in the FA speaking to Garnacho — but what did the winger say about Onana?
InstagramAlejandro Garnacho and teammate Andre Onana in an image shared on Instagram by Onana[/caption]
What did Alejandro Garnacho say about André Onana?
Alejandro Garnacho is being spoken to by the FA over a deleted social media message congratulating his Manchester United team-mate Andre Onana, it’s understood.
Onana secured United’s 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen with a match-winning penalty save in stoppage-time in their Champions League group game on October 24, 2023.
After their victory, Garnacho posted a snap of himself and other United players celebrating the keeper’s heroics on X, formerly Twitter — including two gorilla emojis.
Despite Alejandro quickly deleting the post, the FA were made aware of it and have since liaised with the 19-year-old to investigate the matter.
While there is no suggestion of racism behind the message, it is likely the winger will be hit with a suspension if the FA adopt the same approach they have in the past.
The FA has previously punished footballers over controversial social media posts that were deemed offensive — even when the meaning was unintentional.
But Onana has since taken to social media to defend his young teammate.
Over two Instagram stories, he wrote: “People cannot choose what I should be offended by.
“I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power and strength.
“This matter should go no further.”
Garnacho also shared Onana’s defence of him on his Instagram.
Who is Alejandro Garnacho?
Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra was born on July 1, 2004, in Madrid, Spain.
His father, Alex Garnacho, is Spanish, and his mother, Patricia Ferreyra Fernández, is Argentinian — meaning Alejandro is eligible to play international football for both Spain and Argentina.
Having been involved in the youth setups at Getafe and Atlético Madrid, Garnacho joined the Manchester United Academy in 2020, with the Reds paying the Spanish side a reported fee of £420,000.
Alejandro signed his first professional contract with United in July 2021, and has since worked his way through the ranks into the first team.
Though he represented Spain at youth level, Garnacho has opted to play his international football for Argentina.
In March 2022, he was called up to represent the South American country in their two World Cup qualifiers that month.
The Argentina international is being tipped to become one of the top wingers in world football.
Who is André Onana?
André Onana was born on April 2, 1996, in Nkol Ngok, Cameroon.
He joined the Barcelona La Masia youth system from the Samuel Eto’o Academy in Cameroon in 2010.
The keeper signed for Ajax in 2015, making 214 appearances for the Dutch giants and winning three Eredivisie titles.
In July 2022 André joined Inter Milan on a free transfer, winning the Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and reaching the Champions League final in his sole season at the club.
In 2023 Manchester United signed Onana for an initial £43.8million.
Since making his debut in 2016, André has made over 30 appearances for the Cameroon national team.
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