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Kyle Walker Pep GuardiolaGOAL/Getty
Soham Mukherjee

Wayne Rooney blasts Pep Guardiola for 'strange' Kyle Walker transfer call as Man City loanee's 'importance' highlighted after Champions League collapse vs Real Madrid

K. Walker
P. Guardiola
Manchester City
Transfers
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Champions League
W. Rooney
AC Milan
Serie A

Wayne Rooney slammed Pep Guardiola for his "strange" Kyle Walker transfer call after Manchester City's Champions League collapse against Real Madrid.

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✅ Packages Italian domestic football alongside complete, exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

✅ Includes multiple live Premier League matches, Premiership Rugby, and MotoGP in the same linear and streaming package.

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BBC

✅ Broadcasts 38 live Serie A matches throughout the season, making top-flight Italian football accessible without a pay-TV subscription.

✅ Streams seamlessly across all smart TVs, consoles, and mobile devices via the ubiquitous BBC iPlayer.

✅ In partnership with BBC ALBA, offers alternative language broadcasts for a localized Scottish viewing experience.

Monthly fromFREE
Total Coverage
DAZN logo 2019

DAZN

✅ Serves as the primary home of Italian football in the UK, streaming all 380 Serie A fixtures live and on-demand.

✅ Provides extensive Serie A shoulder programming, match highlights, and dedicated analysis.

✅ Bundles the Italian top flight alongside other global properties like the Saudi Pro League, premium boxing, and the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Monthly from£15.99
Premium Bundle
HBO Max

TNT Sports (HBO Max)

✅ Broadcasts up to two live Serie A fixtures each week, heavily focusing on the biggest clubs and highest-profile Sunday evening games.

✅ Packages Italian domestic football alongside complete, exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

✅ Includes multiple live Premier League matches, Premiership Rugby, and MotoGP in the same linear and streaming package.

Monthly from£25.99

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Man City conceded late to lose 3-2 vs Real
  • Rico Lewis struggled to keep a check on Vinicius
  • Rooney can't fathom Walker's loan move to AC Milan
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The former England and Manchester United star found it perplexing that Manchester City sanctioned Walker's loan move to AC Milan in January. The right-back was missed as Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis struggled to handle Vinicius Jr. in City's 3-2 loss at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 playoff tie. It seemed Walker could have been the key to neutralising Real Madrid’s lethal attack.

  • Kyle Walker AC Milan 2024-25Getty

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Lewis was put to the sword by Vinicius during stoppage time as the Brazilian emerged as the architect for Jude Bellingham's winner, leaving Manchester City in a precarious position heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu. This led Rooney to call out Guardiola's squad management as he went on to emphasise how crucial Walker has been for City over the years.

  • WHAT ROONEY SAID

    Speaking on Amazon Prime, Rooney said: "I think you see the importance of Kyle Walker over the last seven, eight years for Manchester City. I think it’s so strange to see Walker go out on loan to AC Milan. Akanji’s obviously not a right-back, Rico Lewis is still a young player and playing in different positions. At this point in the season, where Manchester City are struggling, Kyle Walker’s the captain of the football club, to allow him to go on loan is really odd.”

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  • Kylian Mbappe Erling Haaland Real MadridGetty Images/Goal

    WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

    City’s loss to Real Madrid means they now face an uphill battle in Spain if they want to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Goals from Mbappe, Brahim Diaz, and Bellingham secured the victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, despite Erling Haaland’s brace keeping City in the contest. Already eliminated from the Carabao Cup and currently sitting fifth in the Premier League, only a victory in Spain will quell the growing discontent among fans.