Man Utd fans spot what Anthony Gordon did after Old Trafford crowd cheered Joshua Zirkzee being substituted

Manchester United fans spotted exactly what Anthony Gordon did after Joshua Zirkzee was substituted just 32 minutes into Newcastle’s 2-0 win over the Red Devils on Monday.

Zirkzee, 23, was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo before half time. His departure from the pitch was greeted with sarcastic cheers from those gathered inside Old Trafford.

He quickly put on a coat and made his way down the touchline toward the tunnel.

A source even revealed how the United forward had “tears in his eyes” before returning to the bench a few minutes later.

After the match, when speaking to Sky Sports, Ruben Amorim admitted that making such a drastic decision was “tough”, but he felt that the “team were suffering” before Mainoo, 19, entered the pitch.

Gary Neville was sympathetic toward the Dutchman while commentating on the match at Old Trafford.

"I actually feel sorry for Joshua Zirkzee," Neville said on Sky Sports.

"I know he's earning a lot of money, but there is a human being in there that's basically been cheered off by his own fans.

“That is brutal. I've not seen that too many times in the 43 years I've been coming here."

"I feel sorry for him, there's a human being in there..." 🎙

Joshua Zirkzee is replaced by Kobbie Mainoo after half an hour. pic.twitter.com/v9FBAvkK3x

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 30, 2024

And despite being on the opposition’s team, Gordon, 23, even encouragingly patted Zirkzee on the back as he jogged off the pitch.

Fans on social media had their say on the bizarre events at Old Trafford.

One said: "Look he's not good enough simple as that… but to boo him and laugh at him is unacceptable he plays for the club and he's a human being no player should get treat like that."

Another added: "Criticism is one thing and warranted but booing then cheering off an individual player who’s being dragged off after 30 minutes is a sickener, not sure he recovers from that."

While a third commented: "How does this guy who cost £30m get more abuse than Højlund upfront who cost £80m and has 2 league goals this season. Scapegoat."

A fourth exclaimed: "Anthony Gordon seemed to care more about Zirkzee as he was going off than our own fans, makes sense though as he’s a fellow professional so they have an understanding of things we simply don’t."

Next up for United is a trip to Merseyside where they will face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.