He had performed the celebration against United two months earlier after profiting from Mainoo losing the ball in midfield to score the second in a 2-0 triumph at the London Stadium.
But in the reverse fixture, Hojlund’s opener and Garnacho’s brace delivered a comfortable win for Erik ten Hag’s side as Kudus played 90 minutes.
After Garnacho netted his first, a deflected strike off Nayef Aguerd just four minutes into the second half, the 19-year-old rushed to the advertising hoards and took a seat with his hands on his hips.
He wore a bright smile as Mainoo and Hojlund joined him, with the three sitting alongside each other to create a memorable image of United’s three beacons of hope for the future.
Many viewed it as firing back at Kudus for doing the same in December. And while the Ghanaian has no problem with their duplication, he has aimed an ominous warning at the trio.
“They’re allowed to do it. But soon they will have to start paying taxes,” Kudus told The Guardian when asked about the potential mockery at Old Trafford.
He explained: “I just thought about something out of the box, and then some other people followed up. Now, there’s a conversation about whose is better.
“I’ll have to come up with another juice and put more spices in the tin. It’s all about resting after scoring a goal. There’s no deeper meaning.
“I just see it as entertainment, something to make people happy and worth the ticket that they bought. I’m still just having fun in the playground.”
Ten Hag could be ruing not pursuing Kudus’ signature while he was at Ajax, instead signing Antony in an £86million deal in 2022.
Antony has yet to register a single goal or assist in 22 Premier League games this season. He has produced 10 goals and four assists in 74 appearances for United.
Kudus has already beaten that tally in his first 34 West Ham matches since joining for £38m in the summer, scoring 11 goals and providing a further four assists.
Still only 23, David Moyes appears to have secured a coup with his capture. However, Ten Hag will currently be satisfied with Garnacho and Hojlund’s attacking contributions.
