Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has pinpointed a crucial oversight in Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid that many have overlooked.
City had endured a heartbreaking loss in the first leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday, with Jude Bellingham scoring a stoppage-time winner for the Spanish giants.
According to SportBible, Erling Haaland gave City the lead before Kylian Mbappe equalized. Haaland restored City’s advantage, but Brahim Diaz leveled the score in the 86th minute. Bellingham’s dramatic goal secured the win for Real Madrid, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side in shock.
After the match, Rooney made an insightful observation about City’s reaction at the final whistle—something he believes should worry Guardiola. He also drew attention to an issue that has received little discussion: the absence of Kyle Walker.
Rooney criticized City’s decision to loan out their veteran right-back to AC Milan in January, describing it as a ‘bizarre’ and ‘questionable’ move, especially considering Walker’s role as club captain.
“Kyle Walker has been crucial for Manchester City over the last seven or eight years,” Rooney said. “It’s baffling that they let him go to AC Milan on loan. Akanji is not a natural right-back, and at this stage of the season when City is struggling, losing their captain is a major gamble.”
Football analysts Clarence Seedorf and Gael Clichy supported Rooney’s view, with Seedorf emphasizing Walker’s defensive strength and his ability to neutralize elite wingers like Vinícius Jr., referencing their duels last season.
Walker, who played over 300 games for City and was vital in their 2022/23 Champions League success, moved to Milan last month on an initial loan deal, with an option for the Serie A side to sign him permanently in the summer.
With City now facing a tough challenge in the second leg against Real Madrid, Guardiola may come to regret parting ways with one of his most experienced defenders.