Kyle Walker and Rasmus Hojlund
Kyle Walker's antics after clashing with Rasmus Hojlund were roundly ridiculed
Rio Ferdinand has predicted that Kyle Walker will apologise for his farcical attempt to get Rasmus Hojlund sent off in the Manchester derby.
In a thrilling contest, Manchester United clinched a dramatic 2-1 win against their city rivals on Sunday at Etihad Stadium - their first victory there since March 2021. After winning a penalty, which was scored by Bruno Fernandes, and netting the winner moments later, Amad's stellar performance received significant acclaim - though Walker's 'performance' was similarly headline-worthy.
During the first half, after a robust challenge from Walker knocked Hojlund over, the big Dane confronted the Manchester City defender. After pressing their heads against one another, Walker dramatically collapsed to the ground as though he had been headbutted, sparking a 22-man melee.
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Subsequent replays showed Walker had no cause to fall so theatrically, clearing Hojlund of any wrongdoing and setting off a cascade of mockery online, including from Hojlund himself. United icon Rio Ferdinand joined in, too, proclaiming on his podcast Rio Presents that Walker must regret his pitiful antics.
On the show, Ferdinand jestingly remarked: "Kyle Walker, we need to talk," before adding, chuckling, "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'."
Following the match, Hojlund took to Instagram to post a photo of himself and Walker nose-to-nose during the match, captioned: "Manchester is red. Violets are blue. What a brilliance performance. But the Oscar goes to..."
Former United captain Roy Keane didn't hold back either while analysing the game on Sky Sports. "How can Walker [go down]? Walker must be embarrassed," the Irishman said. "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."
Gary Neville, when providing match commentary, echoed these sentiments, saying: "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, has been performing well below par this season. He was blamed for City's Champions League defeat to Juventus earlier this month, resulting in appalling racist abuse online, and for the first time in his tenure at Etihad Stadium, questions have arisen about the captain's long-term future at the club.
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