Raging Wayne Rooney rips into Man City guard of honour that left Pep Guardiola crying

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Wayne Rooney pulled no punches as he slammed Manchester City players for performing a guard of honour during their defeat to Aston Villa . City gave both long-time servants, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, an emotional farewell when they substituted in the second half, leaving Pep Guardiola in tears on the sidelines.

The game also served as a farewell match for manager Guardiola, who announced last week that he would be leaving City at the end of the season.

City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Villa in Guardiola’s final match in charge, with Antoine Semenyo on the score sheet before an Ollie Watkins brace saw the home side walk away empty-handed.

Silva and Stones played their final match as City players in the defeat to Villa, with both players named in the starting line-up for the last time.

Guardiola opted to replace Silva with Mateo Kovacic in the 59th minute, and the Portugal international was given a standing ovation and a guard of honour by both City and Villa players as he made his way off the pitch.

A visibly emotional Guardiola was spotted in tears as Silva headed off for the final time as a City player.

Stones was also given the same farewell from both sets of players when he was substituted in the 77th minute to be replaced by Josko Gvardiol.

Rooney was asked about the guards of honour given to both players, with the Manchester United legend taking issue with the timing.

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“It’s incredible,” Rooney said on 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 [guard of honour] after the game.

“If I was in that Aston Villa team, I’d be fuming.”

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Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was alongside Rooney as a pundit on Match of the Day and echoed the views shared by the former Everton striker.

“I was surprised that Villa agreed to doing it, particularly with so long left,” Shearer said.

“I mean, with half an hour, just over half an hour to go with one of the substitutions, so I’m in Wayne’s camp.”

It now remains to be seen what the future holds for Silva, Stones and Guardiola after their careers at City came to an end on Sunday.

Both Silva and Stones have been tentatively linked with potential new clubs, with the former attracting interest from the likes of Juventus , Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Guardiola's future, meanwhile, remains uncertain with the Spaniard expected to take a hiatus from management. The legendary manager, who won 20 trophies during his decade at City, said during his farewell speech : ""A minute of silence, please. I am so nervous, terrified. Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me?

"I never... [Ten more years chants, Pep shakes his head]. No, just for Erling (Haaland). I never could have imagined the amount of love. It is a tremendous honour to be your manager. I would love to not just remember the trophies. Hopefully, we provide you with these unbelievable feelings and emotions that people who come here feel they have fun.

"Let me have a little break, my dad is here - 95 years old. Maybe he doesn't realise, but I am pretty sure Cris and my dad realise that there is a stand which is really beautiful and my family is there for many years.

"Thank you, Sheikh Mansour, but I am sure Khaldoon put real pressure on. My family, they will be here. The players do not know it, but I will be there controlling them to make legacies. Fernandinho, Eddy, John, Bernie, all the players on the screen. The players have a huge responsibility to continue the standards of this amazing club.

"From day one, it is my home. In the next years, and you find me in the streets, if you are a City fan, come to me and hug me. I mean it.