Kyle Walker and Rasmus Hojlund
Kyle Walker's antics after clashing with Rasmus Hojlund were roundly ridiculed
Rio Ferdinand reckons Kyle Walker will issue an apology for his comical attempt to get Rasmus Hojlund sent off in the Manchester derby.
Manchester United clinched a stunning 2-1 victory over neighbours Manchester City on Sunday – their first at the Etihad Stadium since March 2021 – courtesy of a dramatic last-gasp turnaround. After earning a late penalty, which was converted by Bruno Fernandes, and scoring the winner moments later, Amad was praised for his brilliant performance – though Walker's 'performance' was equally headline-worthy.
Midway through the first half, an irate Hojlund squared up to Walker after being stiffly barged over by the defender. The two came nose-to-nose, at which point Walker tumbled to the floor in a manner befitting someone who'd just been headbutted, sparking practically a full 22-man melee.
Replays proved that the England man had no reason to go down, exonerating Hojlund, and sparking waves of ridicule online, including from Hojlund himself. United legend Ferdinand got in on the act too, and insisted on his podcast that Walker must regret his pitiful antics.
Rasmus Hojlund mocks Kyle Walker with message to put 'embarrassing' star in his place
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Kyle Walker's desperate antics during dire derby sum up sorry Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-city-derby-kyle-walker-34318627)
"Kyle Walker, we need to talk," Ferdinand laughed on Rio Presents. "That wasn't it. That wasn't it, bruv! You know it!"
He added: "I think Kyle Walker is going to make an apology at some point. Not right now because there are bigger things to do with the club and everything, but in time. He'll come on the pod one day and go, 'do you know what, it wasn't a good one. I won't be watching that again'."
On Instagram after the game, Hojlund uploaded a photo of him and Walker squaring up, with the caption: "Manchester is red. Violets are blue. What a brilliance performance. But the Oscar goes to..."
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has invited Kyle Walker to come on his podcast and apologise for his dive in the Manchester derby
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Image:
Rio Ferdinand Presents)
Similarly, ex-United skipper Roy Keane ripped into the Three Lions full-back while analysing the game on Sky Sports. "How can Walker [go down]? Walker must be embarrassed. He must be embarrassed to go down like that – an experienced player. I don't know the guy, but I'm embarrassed for him. It's embarrassing."
During commentary, Gary Neville felt the same way, having said: "It's poor from Kyle Walker. He goes down when he realises there might have been contact. I think he will be a little bit embarrassed when he sees that back."
Walker, 34, hasn't been on top form this season. He was blamed for City's defeat to Juventus in the Champions League earlier this month – resulting in vile racist insults being sent to him on social media – and for the first time in his Etihad career, the captain's long-term future at the club looks under genuine threat.
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