Wayne Rooney couldn’t believe what the Manchester City players did (Image: BBC SPORT)
Wayne Rooney didn’t hold back as he criticised Manchester City players for conducting a guard of honour during their loss to Aston Villa. City gave both long-serving stalwarts, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, an emotional send-off when they were substituted in the second half, leaving Pep Guardiola visibly distraught on the touchline. The fixture also doubled as a farewell occasion for the Spaniard, who confirmed last week that he would be departing City at the end of the campaign.
They were beaten by Villa in Guardiola’s final game at the helm, with Antoine Semenyo finding the net before an Ollie Watkins double ensured the hosts left with nothing to show for their efforts. Silva and Stones featured in their final appearance as City players in the loss to Villa, with both men named in the starting XI for the last time.
Guardiola chose to withdraw Silva for Mateo Kovacic in the 59th minute, and the Portugal international received a standing ovation and a guard of honour from both City and Villa players as he departed the field.
A clearly emotional Guardiola was seen in tears as Silva walked off for the final time as a City player. Stones was also afforded the same tribute from both sets of players when he was withdrawn in the 77th minute to make way for Josko Gvardiol.
Rooney was questioned about the guards of honour given to both players, with the Manchester United legend expressing concerns about the timing.
“It’s incredible,” he said on Match of the Day. “I’ve seen a few things this season and it just makes me sad that some of these things are happening in football.
“Bernardo Silva [and] John Stones have been incredible for Manchester City and they deserve it, but do it [guard of honour] after the game.
“If I was in that Aston Villa team, I’d be fuming.”
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer joined Rooney in the Match of the Day studio and wholeheartedly backed the views expressed by the former Everton striker.
“I was surprised that Villa agreed to doing it, particularly with so long left,” Shearer said.
“I mean, with half an hour, just over half an hour to go with one of the substitutions, so I’m in Wayne’s camp.”
What lies ahead for Silva, Stones and Guardiola following the conclusion of their City careers on Sunday now remains to be seen.
Bernardo Silva and John Stones each received a guard of honour as they were replaced (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Both Silva and Stones have been tentatively linked with potential new clubs, with the former attracting interest from the likes of Juventus, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Guardiola’s future, meanwhile, remains shrouded in uncertainty, with the Spaniard widely anticipated to take a break from management.
The iconic boss, who claimed 20 trophies throughout his decade-long stint at City, declared during his farewell address: “A minute of silence, please. I am so nervous, terrified. Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me?
“I never… [Ten more years chants, Pep shakes his head]. No, just for Erling [Haaland]. I never could have imagined the amount of love. It is a tremendous honour to be your manager.
“I would love to not just remember the trophies. Hopefully, we provide you with these unbelievable feelings and emotions that people who come here feel they have fun.
“Let me have a little break, my dad is here – 95 years old. Maybe he doesn’t realise, but I am pretty sure Cris and my dad realise that there is a stand which is really beautiful and my family is there for many years.
“Thank you, Sheikh Mansour, but I am sure Khaldoon put real pressure on. My family, they will be here. The players do not know it, but I will be there controlling them to make legacies.
“Fernandinho, Eddy, John, Bernie, all the players on the screen. The players have a huge responsibility to continue the standards of this amazing club.
“From day one, it is my home. In the next years, and you find me in the streets, if you are a City fan, come to me and hug me. I mean it.
“Like I said it has been a huge honour to represent this club. Every decision I thought what was best for this club. I love you so much. Let me finish what I said a few days ago, they didn’t allow me to say it, but it has been f****** fun.”
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