Former Teammates Grealish and Barkley Share Pre-Match Embrace, Roy Keane Reacts

Former English Premier League stars Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley found themselves at the center of attention as they shared a pre-match embrace before Manchester City‘s FA Cup clash against Luton on Tuesday night. The interaction between the two players, who had previously played together at Aston Villa, was noted by ITV pundit Laura Woods during the pre-match discussions.

Roy Keane, another pundit present during the coverage, offered a characteristic response to the friendly gesture, stating, ‘Not for me. But we’re all different.’ This brief exchange set the stage for an eventful game ahead.

In the 2020-21 season, Grealish and Barkley had been teammates at Aston Villa, with Barkley joining the club on loan from Chelsea. Their familiarity was evident in the momentary hug shared before the start of the FA Cup match.

Manchester City’s dominant performance against Luton saw Grealish being substituted early in the first half due to a fresh injury setback. Despite his premature exit, City’s attacking prowess shone through Erling Haaland‘s remarkable five-goal haul and Kevin De Bruyne‘s influential playmaking with four assists.

Following Grealish’s injury, Pep Guardiola expressed concerns about a potential recurrence of a groin issue, noting the challenges Grealish has faced with injuries this season. The emotional sight of Grealish being consoled by teammates on the sideline reflected the player’s disappointment.

Although Grealish’s contributions on the field were cut short, he took to social media post-match to congratulate his team and express hope for a speedy recovery from the latest setback. The Manchester City forward thanked fans for their support and remained optimistic about his injury.