Manchester United striker, Edinson Cavani could face possible sanctions from the English Football Association over a racial social media post.

The Uruguayan who was pivotal to United’s 3-2 comeback win against Southampton on Sunday, scoring two goals and an assist,  shared an Instagram story from a fan, using a racially offensive term. The post has since been deleted.

According to Sky Sports, the FA, who has since refused to comment at the time of this report, is expected to investigate the 33-year-old.

The Sun Reports that Cavani’s reply to a fan on Instagram sparked a social media backlash – with some labelling his language as racist.

A fan posted ‘Asi te queiro Matador’ in Spanish, which translates to: “I love you, Matador!”

Cavani replied on his Instagram story: “Gracias Negrito!”

However, Manchester United emphasised that the word was clearly used in an affectionate manner and has different connotations in South America, where Cavani is from, and once informed, the former PSG star subsequently deleted the post.

United were two goals down until the introduction of Cavani who set up Bruno Fernandes for the first goal and went on to score two harders afterwards as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men stole the three points in a dramatic fashion at the St Mary’s Stadium.