‘Take your hat off’… Kyle Walker left impressed with one Manchester United player today

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Kyle Walker has praised Marcus Rashford after his stunning early goal for Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium today.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in today’s derby after just eight minutes with an exceptional strike from range.

The 26-year-old’s effort rattled in off the woodwork as he handed Manchester United a surprise early lead.

Erik ten Hag’s men defended resolutely thereafter but Manchester City’s relentless pressure paid off as goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland secured a 3-1 win for the champions. 

But City star Kyle Walker was impressed with Rashford’s early effort and admitted you simply have to ‘take your hat off’ and appreciate such a strike.

Walker impressed with Rashford goal

Speaking to Sky Sports after today’s derby, Walker discussed Rashford’s surprise early opener.

“I don’t think we played badly,” the City skipper said. “I said in the dressing room at half time, it’s not a bad performance, it’s sometimes you take your hat off to goals like that.

“I think Marcus has hit a goal that’s come off the crossbar and hit the back of the net. It was the same against Luton when they went on to score before halftime. Sometimes you have to take your hats off to these goals.

“Do I like conceding goals? No I don’t. Do I think we could have stopped the ball further up the pitch or put our bodies in front of the ball to not let him shoot? Sometimes things happen in football, now it’s about the reaction from the lads.”

It was an unstoppable effort from Rashford and it gave United a lead to defend from early in the game.

The Englishman has made the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks. But if he can produce moments like that more often before the season ends, it would aid United massively in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Today’s defeat is damaging in that regard as it leaves the Red Devils nine points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

But with Tottenham set to face Villa next weekend and 11 games left to play, there could still be plenty of twists and turns in the race for Champions League football.