Rooney Criticizes Guard of Honour for Silva During Game

The Etihad was supposed to be a stage for goodbyes. Instead, it became a flashpoint.

With John Stones and Bernardo Silva set to leave Manchester City at the end of their contracts, the club chose to mark the moment in a way rarely seen in English football: a planned guard of honour on the hour mark, during open play, as Silva made his way off the pitch.

Both sets of players — City and Aston Villa — lined up to applaud the Portuguese midfielder, a central figure in Pep Guardiola’s era of dominance and a symbol of the Spaniard’s glittering decade in Manchester. It was emotional. It was unusual. And for Wayne Rooney, it was completely out of place.

Speaking on BBC Sport’s Match of the Day, Rooney did not hide his frustration at the timing of the tribute.

“It’s incredible, I’ve seen a few things this season, and it just makes me sad that some of these things are happening in football,” he said. “Bernardo Silva, John Stones have been incredible for Manchester City and they deserve it, but do it after the game. If I was in that Aston Villa team, I’d be fuming.”

Rooney’s point cut to the heart of the debate. This was not a post-season testimonial or a pre-match ceremony. It was a live, competitive fixture, with Villa chasing a statement result and City trying to give two stalwarts a winning send-off.

The script never arrived.

Ollie Watkins tore it up with a ruthless brace, sealing a 2-1 victory for Aston Villa and silencing what was meant to be a night of celebration at the Etihad. For Stones and Silva, who have helped turn City into a serial trophy machine, it was a jarring final chapter on home turf: applause in the 60th minute, defeat at full-time.

The guard of honour will be remembered. So will Rooney’s verdict. But for City, the lasting image is Watkins wheeling away in front of a stunned stadium, and two departing icons walking down the tunnel without the farewell result they had earned over two decades of service.