The Etihad Stadium buzzed with tension as Kyle Walker sparked a heated altercation during Manchester United’s thrilling 2-1 triumph over Manchester City in the Premier League’s 16th round. The dramatic clash unfolded late in the first half, setting the stage for a fiery encounter between the two fierce rivals.
The chaos began when Walker shoved Rasmus Hojlund from behind during a heated exchange, prompting an immediate and furious reaction from the United striker. Hojlund charged after Walker, clearly incensed, which led to a direct confrontation. Walker then went to ground, claiming Hojlund had struck him in the head, intensifying the situation further.
Within moments, the incident escalated into a full-blown melee, with all 22 players rushing into the fray. Tempers flared as players from both sides engaged in shoving matches, adding to the already volatile atmosphere.
Pundits were quick to weigh in on the altercation, with Gary Neville calling out Walker’s behavior on live television, labeling it as embarrassing. He criticized the City defender for seemingly exaggerating the situation to gain an advantage. Roy Keane also chimed in, expressing disbelief at Walker’s actions and suggesting the referee should have shown him a red card. Meanwhile, former referee Mike Dean dismissed Walker’s claims, stating that Hojlund’s actions had minimal impact on him.
Harry Maguire, United’s former captain, appeared particularly frustrated by the incident. He was seen confronting City players and demanding accountability from Walker, though his involvement was cut short when Erling Haaland, Ederson, and others intervened.
The referee eventually diffused the situation by issuing yellow cards to both Walker and Hojlund. However, tensions remained high throughout the match, with reports suggesting that Walker continued to taunt Hojlund even after the scuffle. In response, Hojlund posted a cheeky jab on social media, sharing an image of the confrontation alongside the caption: “A great performance. But the Oscars belong to…” in a dig at Walker’s dramatic fall.
Despite the heated exchanges, Manchester United demonstrated remarkable resilience. Although they conceded a 37th-minute goal to Gvardiol, courtesy of a pinpoint Kevin De Bruyne cross, United turned the tide in the dying minutes of the game. Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo stepped up with crucial goals, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 victory. This marked United’s first consecutive away wins since May and bolstered their campaign for a European spot next season.
For Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, however, the result added to their ongoing woes. With just one win in their last 11 matches and eight defeats, their struggles with form and consistency persist. The fiery altercation and the loss only deepened the frustration for City, while United celebrated a significant step forward in their season.
