Rooney rages at Man City's mid game guard of honour for Stones and Silva

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FT Desk

Wayne Rooney isn't a fan of the mid-game guards of honour given to John Stones and Bernardo Silva during Manchester City's final-day match against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Ahead of the final day of the season, it was already confirmed that Stones, Silva and manager Pep Guardiola were leaving at the expiration of their contracts.

Man City had already conceded the Premier League title to Arsenal, too, so the event had the feel of an exhibition match and Aston Villa, fresh off their Europa League tournament win during the week, won 2-1 at the Etihad.

In the second half, the City players and Villa players gave separate guards of honour to Silva and Stones and Rooney reckons it took away from the competitive nature of the game.

"It's incredible," the former Manchester United star said on BBC 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 after the game. If I was in that Aston Villa team, I'd be fuming."

“It just makes me sad.” 😬

Wayne Rooney was not a fan of Manchester City’s guard of honour for Bernardo Silva and John Stones during the game. pic.twitter.com/H16Jeq04QM

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 24, 2026

Usually, if a player is leaving after that game, they may be substituted by their manager which allows for a full stadium ovation. A guard of honour from every player on the pitch is certainly a rarity.

Silva was taken off around the hour mark and the honour was repeated 20 minutes later for Stones.

"I was surprised that Villa agreed to doing it, particularly with so long left," Alan Shearer said, echoing Rooney's comments.

"I mean, with half an hour, just over half an hour to go with one of the substitutions, so yeah, I'm in Wayne's camp. I'm not a great fan of that while the game is going on."

Silva has been with Man City for nine seasons, winning 19 trophies in that time, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League. Stones joined the season before and won 17 trophies with the club, having suffered a string of injury problems.

The Portuguese star has been strongly linked with Barcelona and Juventus, while Stones has been tipped to join England colleague Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, though former club Everton have also been credited with an interest in the centre-back.