Mohammed Kudus names Man United star as his toughest opponent – and tells players copying his celebration that they will have to start paying taxes on it!

Mohammed Kudus doesn’t mind players copying his iconic celebration, but warns they will have to start paying taxes if it continues.

The West Ham striker celebrated his goal against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup last November by sitting on an advertising billboard, facing the pitch and with his back to the crowd.

Now the ‘Kudus celebration’ is a phenomenon.

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah copied it and the entire West Ham under-21 team reproduced it.

And it was considered iconic when Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund did it together after Garnacho scored for Manchester United against West Ham at Old Trafford last month.

The forward celebrated his memorable celebration against Arsenal for the first time in the Carabao Cup

Rasmus Hojlund (left), Alejandro Garnacho (center) and Kobbie Mainoo (right) copy the ‘Kudus celebration’

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Kudus told the Times: ‘I wanted to do something innovative because most celebrations are pretty normal, with slides and stuff. I wanted to add more meaning to my score. “It’s about sitting down and resting after scoring a goal, but there’s literally no deeper meaning than that.”

‘Even when I did it (for the first time), there was talk that people were doing it before, although I didn’t see anyone doing it that way. But yes, (other players) can do it, but soon they will have to start paying taxes!

‘I just see it as something that will make people happy and make the ticket they bought worth it. Football is about the three points and the emotions at stake, but football is also entertainment and there are more things. Yes. I’m still having fun on the playground.’

Kudus named Man United defender Luke Shaw as his toughest opponent so far, but says none have been easy and that “intensity” is what the Premier League is known for.

And he added: “You can’t underestimate any team.” Every game is difficult. When I was at Ajax, if you played at 60 percent, at 70 percent you were still going to win. But here even small teams can surprise. Every game is work time and you can’t disconnect. I love it, you know?

West Ham return to action on Saturday when they take on Newcastle at St James’ Park.

They are also still in the hunt for trophies after reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Looking to build on their Conference League triumph last season, David Moyes’ side will face Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals next month.