Kyle Walker's performance in Sunday's Manchester derby has attracted widespread criticism, with the Manchester City and England star branded 'pathetic'.
United finally walked away with a boast over their fierce rivals on Sunday as Amad Diallo inspired the visitors to a dramatic comeback in the closing stages of the derby clash.
The result marks the latest blow to City's dismal form, with the club now having won just once in their last 11 games in all competitions.
On an individual level, Walker has struggled with his form this season. He is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs of the past decade in the Premier League, thanks to his devastating pace, consistency and work ethic.
However, Sunday's derby saw him thrust into the spotlight for the wrong reasons following an incident in the first half.
Shortly after City took the lead through Josko Gvardiol, Walker brought down Rasmus Hojlund as he looked to put his side on the counter, with the two going head-to-head.
But after a few seconds, Walker cynically and theatrically threw himself to the ground, seemingly feigning an injury, perhaps in an attempt to get the referee's attention and possibly punish Hojlund.
Many fans took his histrionics as an opportunity to mock the defender and his troubled personal life after he split from now ex-wife Annie Kilner last December after it emerged he had fathered his second child with Lauryn Goodman, who Kilner sent a text message to reveal the details. news.
Kilner, 32, has started a divorce battle with her ex after instructing lawyers to start legal proceedings last month as she prepared to fight for half of the Manchester City defender's £27million fortune.
Some social media users posted memes that seemed to downplay the fact that Walker was accused of cheating on the field during the game.
TV replays later showed that no significant contact between the pair led to Walker's collapse, and both men were booked for their involvement in the incident.
Gary Neville and Roy Keane were among those to criticize the England international for his behavior on Sky Sports, with the former Ireland international in particular not mincing words.
“Walker should be ashamed of himself going down like that,” Keane said. 'Look here. I don't know that man and I'm ashamed of him.'
Criticism also came from further afield, with Piers Morgan responding to Keane's words on social media.
“Well said, Mr Keane,” Morgan wrote. “Absolutely pathetic of Walker.”
Neville went on to compare the incident to his encounter with former City midfielder Steve McManaman during an FA Cup match in 2004.
“I did this in a derby against McManaman many years ago and got sent off for it,” Neville said. “What matters is whether he has brought forward that rock of his mind.
“Walker pushed him over and tripped him. I'm not sure, no. It's bad of Walker, the first contact he doesn't respond to. He'll be a bit ashamed when he sees that again.'
Lord Alan Sugar also spoke about the incident, writing of X: 'Walker went down as if hit by a train. He should get a red card for acting.”
Football writer Sam Pilger added: “Kyle Walker embarrassed himself there. Naked deception.'
The Athletic's JJ Bull wanted a stiffer punishment than the single yellow card Walker received, writing: “Honestly, send Kyle Walker off for that.”
Former Dutch icon and Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer continued the barrage, admitting he was left 'furious' by the right-back.
'If Kyle Walker sees that video, he can't take himself seriously anymore?! It makes me furious,” he said on Dutch television.
'I think this is ridiculous! And it even stays on the floor! This is ruining our game of football, look at how they treat each other in Rugby and then look at this.”
Another commentator said: 'Kyle Walker has been terrible the last few games, but that Rasmus Hojlund 'headbutt' might be the worst thing he's done.'
One fan also joined in, claiming: 'Kyle Walker has just tried to send off a fellow professional by cheating – it's as bad as anything a footballer can do and there should be stricter punishments for such acts otherwise footballers will remain just behave. . It is necessary to stop it.'
Former United Academy talent Ben Thornley made no secret of his feelings after the match, telling MUTV: “It's massive. It's really huge because you didn't want it to be three, especially against United's neighbors.
'And you know what I think back to what Kyle Walker did in that first half: 'cheats never work' as far as I'm concerned.
“And that's exactly what he was trying to do. He tried to get Rasmus Hojlund and got sent away.”
And after Sky cameras zoomed in on Walker's face after full-time, he added: “So I'm glad we had a close-up of how disappointed he was to lose that match.”
Hojlund himself was quick to revel in the twist of fate that saw his side take all three points in extra time, taking the opportunity to twist the knife a little further.
He posted a photo of the get-together to his Instagram account with a hilarious caption, expressing a similar sentiment to Walker's other critics.
He wrote: 'Manchester is red, violets are blue. What a brilliant performance, but the Oscar goes to…'
City's next chance to arrest their alarming lapse in form comes this weekend, when they face an Aston Villa side also struggling for consistency.
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