Man United supporter slams Man City’s stars for snubbing young fans after their 3-1 victory over arch-rivals in WSL – but others hit out and insist the game was ‘not a meet and greet’

Man City’s players have been criticized for allegedly snubling young fans after their derby win over Man United on Sunday.

City defeated their arch-rivals 3-1 at Old Trafford after coming from behind for a United WSL match of 43,615 in front of a record crowd.

The result saw Gareth Taylor’s side leapfrog their opponents in the table and earn bragging rights after a tense encounter that saw City defender Laia Aleixandri sent off late on.

However, in a video shared on social media by a Man United fan, City players, as they took to the pitch to celebrate at full-time, appeared to ignore the young supporters in the stands who attempted to high-five the players to give.

The irate supporter said: ‘Watched the @BarclaysWSL for the first time last night in OT. Really enjoyed it, until the end. @ChloeKelly is his high school sweetheart, but all the players ignored them and all the kids in the neighborhood! Does it take much for even a high five @ManCitywWomen…’.

In a video shared on social media, City’s stars walked past fans to get onto the pitch at full-time

An angry United fan reported how the players refused to interact with supporters

He had suggested that a little bit of effort from the players ‘would have made days for the young fans’

In subsequent posts on X, formerly Twitter, the fan continued: “Even the @ManUtdWomen ignored all the kids too. Pretty disappointing, don’t forget where you came from. Over 40,000 fans came out in the rain to see you all!! The only player who could be bothered to put in the effort was @jayderiviere, so thank you, you made their day!

“If you’re five to 10 years old, like the majority of kids around us, you’re not as tribal as older football fans. No matter who they support, these are their idols and the ‘famous’ England players… a look, a smile, a high five would make their day!’

However, the original post sparked a lot of debate, with several users speaking out about the criticism leveled at City’s stars.

One said: ‘I mean you paid for a football match and not a meet and greet?’

Another added: ‘It’s a football match, not a meet and greet. They have just played ninety minutes of football, they are not obliged to have their picture taken with anyone.’

Another fan said: ‘My god you didn’t go to a meet and greet. The players are under no obligation to give you anything in return. Maybe next time you can just sit back and enjoy the game instead of complaining about not being able to get a high five and using your kid as a weapon.”

Other users agreed as one final fan said: ‘Why on earth would City players wait to meet a kid in a Utd shirt??? Grown up buddy, this isn’t a meet and greet.’

However, other fans lashed out at the United supporter and insisted the players had done nothing wrong

The United fan later clarified their reasoning behind the original message

Responding to the criticism, the United supporter then added: ‘There were over 30 young children standing next to us for the City players to walk past. No matter who you support as a child, these players are their idols and even a smile, a hello or a high five will be remembered for the rest of their lives.

“Yes, they can’t recognize more than 40,000 fans individually, but the few lucky kids who were close enough, a little bit of recognition goes a long way! I believe they are fantastic with the fans at Leigh but why change because it is Old Trafford.

‘The goal of awareness was achieved and beyond. I’m sure @ManCityWomen and @ManUtdWomen have seen the video by now, yes it’s not a meet and greet, but in certain scenarios there should be a little bit of recognition. And in response to a few comments, he was complimented for reaching out to @chloekelly.”

City are currently third in the WSL and are next in the league when they host Tottenham on Sunday.