Rooney: ‘You see Walker importance to Manchester City’ after Milan move | OneFootball

After Manchester City crumbled in the Champions League play-off against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, Wayne Rooney and Clarence Seedorf argued it was ‘odd’ sending Kyle Walker to Milan.

Pep Guardiola’s side had been seemingly in complete control of the first leg tie at the Etihad this evening, with a 2-1 advantage at the 85th minute through an Erling Haaland brace around the shinned Kylian Mbappé volley.

However, Real Madrid ended up winning 3-2 with Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham slicing through the City defence.

When analysing the situation on Amazon Prime UK, former player Rooney identified a huge gap in the squad left by Milan’s January signing.

“I think you see the importance of Kyle Walker over the last seven or eight years for Manchester City,” said Rooney.

“It’s so strange seeing Walker being allowed to go out on loan to AC Milan. Akanji is obviously not a right-back, at this point of the season when Manchester City is struggling, Walker is the captain of the football club, to allow him to go on loan is really odd.”

Rooney and Seedorf on ‘odd’ decision to let Walker join Milan

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on September 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Former Milan midfielder Seedorf is also a pundit for Amazon Prime UK and agreed with Rooney that the Milan defender is being sorely missed at Manchester City.

“He allowing the team to play the way they play and recover any mistakes or deep balls. I remember the battles with Vicinius last season.”

Walker, who will turn 35 in May, has quickly become a mainstay in the Milan defence as a right-back, playing all 90 minutes in two Serie A games and one Coppa Italia appearance.

He is expected to start in tomorrow’s Champions League play-off first leg fixture with Feyenoord.