Kyle Walker has been left out of Manchester City’s 20-man matchday squad ahead of the Premier League champions’ FA Cup third round clash against Salford City.
Pep Guardiola named a weakened side for the visit of the League Two outfit, owned by the Class of ’92 former Manchester United stars Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.
Notable names such as Jack Grealish, Nathan Ake, Savinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Jeremy Doku and Ederson all start while youngsters James McAtee, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, and Divin Mubama will all be hoping to impress Guardiola, 53, from the start.
Walker, 34, was omitted from the squad entirely with 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly preferred on the right flank. Matheus Nunes will likely play ahead of him in a more advanced role on the right-hand side.
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Journalist Joe Bray posted the ‘reason’ why Walker was not included to his X account.
“Kyle Walker omission today is 'tactical',” he wrote.
The right-back has struggled to find form in what has been a poor season for City so far.
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Fans on X were quick to voice their thoughts on Guardiola's decision to drop Walker.
One said: "Don't label it as shameful he's a club legend, age caught up with him."
Another added: "I feel sad for him."
A third commented: "Should’ve left after the treble."
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Another explained: "It's shameful tbh we should've have given him his flowers."
A fifth claimed: "Being left out against bloody Salford for ‘tactical reasons’ is the ultimate death blow to Kyle Walker’s City career. He’s gone."
Walker's current City contract is set to run until June 2026, but he has been linked with potential move away from the club.
Guardiola discussed Walker's current situation in a press conference on Friday.
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"Maybe he isn’t playing the minutes like in the past," he said.
"Rico is playing really well, of course the central defenders, and Josko is playing well. I decide for that."
"I don't know [about that]," he added when questioned about Walker being linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Topics: Manchester City, FA Cup, Pep Guardiola, Kyle Walker, Champions League
Luke Alfred Davies