Even Micah Richards couldn’t find a way to defend Kyle Walker’s antics during the heated Manchester derby.
Roy Keane, visibly appalled, delivered a scathing verdict on Walker’s theatrics, declaring the defender should be “embarrassed” for his behavior. The incident unfolded as Walker’s City led 1-0 against United, with tempers boiling over just before halftime.
The drama began when Walker tripped Rasmus Højlund, prompting an angry response from the 21-year-old striker, who rushed to confront him. The pair went forehead to forehead, but the situation took a theatrical turn when Walker dramatically fell to the ground, clutching his face despite barely any contact.
Keane, speaking during the halftime analysis, pulled no punches: “He must be embarrassed. An experienced player like that going down with no contact? It’s embarrassing. Look at this, I don’t know the guy, and I’m embarrassed for him.”
Micah Richards, usually a staunch defender of his former City teammate, admitted, “He’s better than that,” as Keane sarcastically retorted, “Is he? Not so sure.”
Both Walker and Højlund were booked for their roles in the scuffle, but the incident became a footnote after United’s dramatic turnaround. Amad Diallo drew a late penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted before Diallo struck the winner in stoppage time, sealing a 2-1 victory for the red half of Manchester.
Højlund later stoked the rivalry further, posting a cheeky Instagram caption aimed at Walker:”Manchester is red. Violets are blue. What a brilliant performance. But the Oscar goes to…”
The derby may be over, but the fallout from Walker’s theatrics—and United’s stunning comeback—will linger long in the memories of fans.
8Roy Keane watching Kyle Walker’s ’embarrassing’ dive
8Keane fumed at Walker’s theatrics
8Rasmus Hojlund and Walker were shown yellow
Kyle Walker, 34, found himself in the thick of controversy during the fiery Manchester derby after a heated clash with United’s 21-year-old striker, Rasmus Højlund. Walker tripped Højlund, prompting the young forward to leap to his feet and confront the England full-back head-on.
The confrontation escalated as the two went forehead to forehead, but it took a dramatic turn when Walker theatrically dropped to the ground clutching his face, despite minimal contact. Højlund, visibly bemused, stood over him as chaos erupted.
Harry Maguire charged in to confront Walker, only to be jostled away by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Both Højlund and Walker were booked for the incident.
Roy Keane, reviewing the moment during halftime on Sky Sports, was unimpressed. The United legend grimaced at Walker’s theatrics, saying: “He must be embarrassed. An experienced player going down like that—there’s no contact. Look at this, I don’t know the guy, and I’m embarrassed for him. It’s embarrassing.”
Micah Richards chimed in, suggesting Walker was “better than that,” to which Keane sarcastically replied: “Is he? Not so sure.”
Despite trailing after Josko Gvardiol’s opener, United staged a sensational comeback. Amad Diallo won a late penalty, coolly converted by Bruno Fernandes, before Diallo himself netted the dramatic winner moments later.
Rasmus Højlund couldn’t resist taking a dig at Walker post-match, posting a savage Instagram poem that read:”Manchester is red. Violets are blue. What a brilliant performance. But the Oscar goes to…”
United boss Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, made waves by dropping Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad, citing performance and engagement as his criteria. He explained: “I pay attention to everything—the way you train, the way you eat, even how you dress for a game. It’s all part of the evaluation.”
Adding to United’s challenges, Mason Mount limped off injured within 15 minutes, but the late heroics ensured bragging rights for the red side of Manchester.
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Hojlund and Walker square up to each other.
It sparked a kick-off between the two teams.
Both players were booked.
Amad Diallo turned the game around.