Kyle Walker is facing a wave of condemnation after a dramatic incident in the latest Manchester derby, drawing sharp criticism from high-profile figures like Piers Morgan and Roy Keane.
The Manchester City star’s antics have left fans and pundits fuming, with many calling his actions a form of cheating.
This comes after a high-stakes game where City ultimately lost to Manchester United in a fiery 2-1 clash.
The Moment That Sparked Fury
The controversy began shortly after City took the lead with a goal from Josko Gvardiol.
Walker became embroiled in a confrontation with United’s Rasmus Hojlund, as the two squared off while Hojlund attempted to start a counterattack.
However, Walker’s response to the situation raised eyebrows—he threw himself dramatically to the ground, seemingly feigning an injury.
This theatrical fall immediately caught the attention of viewers, sparking ridicule across social media and sports networks.
Keane and Morgan Lead the Charge Against Walker
Roy Keane was one of the first to voice his frustration, telling Sky Sports, “Walker must be embarrassed, to go down like that. Look at this. I don’t know the guy and I’m embarrassed for him.”
Piers Morgan, never one to hold back, agreed with Keane’s assessment, calling the incident “absolutely pathetic.”
The criticism quickly snowballed, with many fans taking to social media to express their disbelief over Walker’s behavior.
The Personal Life Factor
Some of the backlash also tied Walker’s on-field behavior to his personal life.
The City defender has been at the center of media attention following his separation from ex-wife Annie Kilner and his ongoing divorce battle.
Fans couldn’t help but draw parallels between his off-field controversies and his actions during the derby.
Neville Draws Parallels with His Own Past
Gary Neville also weighed in on the matter, drawing comparisons to a famous incident from his own playing days.
He recalled being sent off in a 2004 derby for headbutting Steve McManaman and said, “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 one back.”
Replays confirmed that there was no significant contact between Walker and Hojlund, with both players being booked for their involvement in the incident.
Sugar, Pilger, and De Boer Weigh In
Lord Alan Sugar joined the chorus of disapproval, suggesting sarcastically that Walker should receive a red card for his acting.
Football writer Sam Pilger called Walker’s actions “naked cheating,” while The Athletic’s JJ Bull argued that a stronger punishment was warranted, even proposing a red card for Walker.
Frank De Boer, the former Netherlands star, expressed his fury on Dutch TV, calling Walker’s actions “ridiculous” and criticizing the behavior for tarnishing the integrity of the game.
Ben Thornley’s Harsh Take
Ben Thornley, a former Manchester United academy player, was equally critical of Walker, saying, “Cheats never prosper.”
He also noted how Walker appeared to try to get Hojlund sent off with his theatrics, and after the game, Thornley seemed pleased to see the City player’s disappointment following the loss.
Hojlund’s Lighthearted Dig
In a lighthearted response, Rasmus Hojlund took to Instagram to poke fun at Walker’s dramatic fall.
Posting a picture of the incident with the caption, “Manchester is red, violets are blue.
What a brilliant performance, but the Oscar goes to…”, Hojlund managed to add insult to injury, further mocking the City defender’s embarrassing moment.
What’s Next for Walker and City?
As Manchester City recovers from this tough defeat, all eyes will be on Kyle Walker to see how he handles the fallout.
City’s next game against Aston Villa presents an opportunity to get back on track, but Walker will likely remain a focal point of discussion following his controversial actions in the derby.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn