Rasmus Højlund, Manchester United’s striker, made headlines after Sunday’s thrilling Derby win over Manchester City with a sharp dig aimed at his rival Kyle Walker. The match was a dramatic one, with City initially taking the lead thanks to a goal from Josko Gvardiol. However, Manchester United responded in spectacular fashion, with Amad Diallo playing a pivotal role in the turnaround. Diallo won a penalty after a poor backpass from City’s Matheus Nunes, which Bruno Fernandes converted. Just minutes later, Diallo scored the winning goal, sending United to a 2-1 victory.
However, the match was also notable for a fiery exchange between Højlund and Walker. The two players became embroiled in a heated dispute during the game, which began when Walker made a mischievous challenge on Højlund. The Danish forward reacted angrily, leading to a head-to-head confrontation between the two. In the midst of this, Walker theatrically collapsed to the ground in an attempt to get Højlund sent off, but there was no contact that warranted such a dramatic fall. Commentators, as well as fans, were quick to criticize Walker for exaggerating the incident.
Once the match ended with United’s victory, Højlund wasted no time in responding to the drama. He took to Instagram, posting a mocking poem aimed at Walker, with a photo of their head-to-head confrontation included. The poem read: “Manchester is red. Violets are blue. What a brilliant performance. But the Oscar goes to…” The post was a direct jab at Walker, poking fun at his theatrics during the altercation. While the rhyme may not have been perfect, it resonated with Manchester United supporters, who relished the opportunity to see their player take aim at one of City’s most controversial figures.
The dig was particularly sweet for United fans, as Kyle Walker is often seen as one of the more disliked figures in the red half of Manchester, especially due to his connection with City and his reputation for occasionally playing up incidents during matches. Højlund’s post served as both a reminder of United’s dramatic victory and a playful response to the tension between the two players. It also highlighted the growing confidence of the young striker, who not only made an impact on the field but also found a way to have the last laugh off it.