Kyle Walker Sparks Heated Brawl as Manchester United Defeats Manchester City 2-1

The Etihad Stadium was electrified with tension as Kyle Walker ignited a heated brawl during Manchester United’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the 16th round of the Premier League.

The incident came late in the first half and set the tone for a fiery clash between the two fierce rivals.

The drama unfolded when Walker pushed Rasmus Hojlund from behind in a heated dispute, prompting immediate retaliation from the United striker.

Hojlund chased Walker down, visibly angry, which escalated into a direct confrontation.

Walker then allegedly fell to the ground, claiming Hojlund struck him in the head, which added further fuel to the fire.

Within moments, the scene descended into chaos as all 22 players surged into the fray, pushing and shoving, with emotions boiling over.

Gary Neville and Roy Keane’s Sharp Criticism

The incident caught the attention of pundits and former players alike. Gary Neville did not hold back, criticizing Walker’s actions on Sky Sports:

“It was a very bad action by Walker. He fell when he realized the possibility of a collision. I think Walker will feel embarrassed to watch this ball again.”

Adding to the scrutiny, Roy Keane was equally scathing:

“How did Walker fall like that? He must be ashamed—a seasoned player behaving like that. I would have shown him a red card if I were the referee.”

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean also weighed in, stating, “Hojlund had no real impact on Walker.”

Maguire Adds His Frustration

Harry Maguire, the former Manchester United captain, appeared most agitated by the incident.

He was seen confronting Manchester City players, demanding Walker take responsibility for the altercation. However, he was quickly pushed away by Erling Haaland, Ederson, and other Man City players.

The Aftermath

The referee ultimately handed yellow cards to both Walker and Hojlund in an attempt to calm the situation, but tensions lingered long after the match.

Reports suggest Walker provoked his opponent with further taunts, adding more drama to the bitter rivalry.

After the match, Hojlund seized the opportunity to mock Walker, sharing a photo of their confrontation on social media with the caption: “A great performance. But the Oscars belong to…” referencing Walker’s role in the heated scene.

Manchester United’s Resilience

Despite conceding a goal in the 37th minute—scored by Gvardiol from a De Bruyne cross—United showed incredible resolve.

In the final two minutes of the second half, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo delivered pivotal performances, completing the turnaround with goals that secured United’s 2-1 win.

This marked Manchester United’s first back-to-back away victories since May, allowing them to close the gap in the race for European spots next season.

Conversely, Pep Guardiola’s City continues to struggle, having managed just one win in their last 11 matches while suffering eight defeats.

The fiery brawl and United’s victory add another layer of disappointment for Manchester City, as they continue to grapple with inconsistency this season.