Love cheat Kyle Walker has been ridiculed for his play-acting collapse in the Manchester derby – with Roy Keane and Piers Morgan joining a wave of condemnation.
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 to make it 2-1.
While City continue to lick their wounds, Walker, 34, is coming in for particular criticism over 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.
But after a few seconds, Walker theatrically threw himself to the floor in an apparent attempt to feign an injury – a move that has attracted widespread mockery.
Roy Keane led criticism of the England international, 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.’
Morgan said in response: ‘Well said, Mr Keane. Absolutely pathetic from Walker.’
Many fans took the opportunity to draw allusions to Walker’s troubled personal life, which saw him separate from his ex-wife Annie Kilner last December after he was revealed to have fathered two children with the influencer Lauryn Goodman.
Kyle Walker was challenged by Rasmus Hojlund after bringing him down in a counterattack and the pair butted heads (right)
But after a few seconds, Walker theatrically threw himself to the floor in an apparent attempt to feign an injury – a move that has attracted widespread mockery
Walker’s dramatic reaction has sparked widespread mockery from pundits and fans
Walker is now in the midst of a divorce battle with Ms Kilner, who is preparing to fight for half of his £27million fortune.
The childhood sweethearts met in Sheffield as teenagers but Walker has been embroiled in a series of scandals over the years.
However, Ms Kilner appears to be remaining in good spirits – taking her children to an evening at the Winter Funland at Trafford Park in Manchester on Friday.
The mother-of-four looked to be enjoying herself with sons Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six and six-month-old Rezon, who she shares with the Man City player.
She was also joined by her sister Sian as well as fellow football players and their partners.
Criticism of Walker’s on-pitch antics on Sunday continued to attract criticism this morning.
Gary Neville likened Walker’s behaviour on Sunday to a notorious incident in 2004 when he headbutted City midfielder Steve McManaman during an FA Cup clash.
‘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 one back.’
Walker’s ex Annie Kilner looked in great spirits as she enjoyed a festive evening with her children and sister at Winter Funland in Manchester on Friday amid her ongoing divorce battle
Ms Kilner flashed a hint of her toned abs as she opted for a cropped black zip up jacket, a white T-shirt and low rise faded black jeans
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
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.
Alan Sugar also weighed in on the incident, writing 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, saying: ‘Honestly, send Kyle Walker off for that.’
Former Netherlands icon and Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer said he was ‘furious’ at Walker.
‘If Kyle Walker watches that clip back, surely he can’t take himself seriously 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.’
Beaming in snaps, she was seen playing hook a duck with her youngest as they enjoyed the attraction before it opens to the public on Saturday until Boxing Day
The mother-of-four and her sons Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six and six-month-old Rezon, who she shares with the Man City player, posed for a snap with Father Christmas
Hojlund took to Instagram to mock Walker following an incident between the pair in the first half
Hojlund himself was quick to revel in the twist of fate 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.
