Rasmus Hojlund made a dig at Kyle Walker after Manchester United's derby win
The pair had clashed on the pitch during the first half of the game at the Etihad
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Mason Mount? Marcus Rashford? Joshua Zirkzee? Who should Manchester United sell to raise funds?
By DOMINIC HOGAN
Published: 05:09 EST, 16 December 2024 | Updated: 05:14 EST, 16 December 2024
Kyle Walker's performance in the Manchester derby on Sunday has drawn plenty of criticism with the Manchester City and England star blasted as 'pathetic'.
United ultimately walked away with bragging rights over their fierce rivals on Sunday, as Amad Diallo inspired the visitors to a dramatic comeback in the closing stages of the derby clash.
The result marks the latest blow in the midst of City's dismal run of form, with the club now having won just once in their last 11 games in all competitions.
On an individual level, Walker is struggling for form this season, having been widely regarded as one of the best right backs of the last decade in the Premier League, thanks to his devastating pace, consistency and work ethic.
However Sunday's derby saw him take the spotlight for all the wrong reasons for an incident in the first half.
Shortly after City took the lead through Josko Gvardiol, Walker brought down Rasmus Hojlund as he looked to put his side on the counter, with the two squaring up head-to-head.
Kyle Walker's coming together with Rasmus Hojlund has drawn widespread criticism
Walker threw himself to the floor with many claiming he was trying to get Hojlund sent off
Ruben Amorim's side claimed a dramatic victory at the Etihad after late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo
After a few seconds, though, Walker cynically and theatrically threw himself to the floor seemingly feigning an injury, perhaps in an attempt to draw the referee's attention and potentially punish Hojlund.
Many fans took his histrionics as an opportunity to mock the defender and his troubled personal life, after separating with now-ex-wife Annie Kilner last December after he was revealed to have fathered his second child with Lauryn Goodman, who texted Kilner to reveal the news.
Kilner, 32, has embarked on a divorce battle with her ex after instructing lawyers last month to begin legal proceedings as she prepares to fight for half of the Manchester City defender's £27million fortune.
Some social media users posted memes appearing to make light of the fact Walker was being accused of cheating on the field during the game.
TV replays later revealed that no significant contact between the pair had prompted Walker's collapse, and both men were booked for their involvement in the incident.
Gary Neville and Roy Keane were among those to criticise the England international for his behaviour on Sky Sports, with the former Republic of Ireland international in particular not mincing his words.
'Walker must be embarrassed, to go down like that,' Keane said. 'Look at this. I don't know the guy and I'm embarrassed for him.'
Criticism came in from further afield, too, with Piers Morgan responding to Keane's words on social media.
Some fans took to social media to post memes appearing to make light of Walker's personal life
Both players picked up bookings for their coming together despite calls for a harsher punishment for Walker
'Well said, Mr Keane,' Morgan wrote. 'Absolutely pathetic from Walker.'
Neville further likened the incident to his coming together with former City midfielder Steve McManaman during an FA Cup clash in 2004.
'I did this in a derby against McManaman many years ago and got sent off for it,' Neville said. 'It's whether he's made that rock of his head forward.
'Walker's pushed him over and tripped him. I'm not sure, no. It's poor from Walker, the initial contact he doesn't go down on. He'll be a little bit embarrassed when he sees that back.'
Lord Alan Sugar also weighed in on the incident, and wrote on X: 'Walker went down like he was hit by a train. He should get a red card for acting.'
Football writer Sam Pilger added: 'Kyle Walker has embarrassed himself there. Naked cheating.'
The Athletic's JJ Bull was keen for a more stern punishment than the single yellow card Walker received, writing: 'Honestly, send Kyle Walker off for that.'
Former Netherlands icon and Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer continued the barrage, admitting he was left 'furious' by the right back.
Hojlund took to Instagram to mock Walker following an incident between the pair in the first half
'If Kyle Walker watches that clip back, surely he can't take himself serious anymore?! It makes me furious,' he said on Dutch TV.
'I find this ridiculous! And he even keeps laying on the ground! This is screwing up our game of football, look at how they treat each other in Rugby, and then look at this.'
Another commenter said: 'Kyle Walker has been terrible in the last few matches but going down for that 'headbutt' from Rasmus Hojlund might be the worst thing he's done.'
One fan weighed in as well, claiming: 'Kyle Walker just tried to get a fellow professional sent off by cheating - it's as bad a thing a footballer can do and there should be stricter punishment for such acts otherwise footballers will just keep on acting up. Need to stop it.'
Former United academy prospect Ben Thornley made no secret of his feelings after the game, telling MUTV: 'It’s huge. It really is huge because you didn’t want it to be three, especially against United’s neighbours.
'And do you know what I think back to what Kyle Walker did in that first half, "cheats never prosper’" as far as I’m concerned.
'And that’s exactly what he tried to do. He tried to get Rasmus Hojlund and sent off.'
And after Sky cameras zoomed in on Walker's face after full-time, he added: 'So I’m glad we had a close up of how disappointed he was to be losing that game.'
Walker has struggled for the consistency that has made him a world-leading defender this term
Hojlund himself was quick to revel in the twist of fates that saw his side snatch all three points in added time, and took the opportunity to twist the knife a little further.
He posted a picture of the coming together on his Instagram account with a hilarious caption, echoing a similar sentiment to Walker's other critics.
He wrote: 'Manchester is red, violets are blue. What a brilliant performance, but the Oscar goes to...'
City's next opportunity to arrest their alarming slip in form will come at the weekend when they take on an Aston Villa side also struggling for consistency.
Kyle WalkerRasmus Hojlund