Man City players wore shirts bearing Leroy Sane's name before Sunday's Premier League draw with Spurs. But football fans were quick to mock the tribute, with one saying: “He's only injured, he didn't die!”
The winger faces a season on the sidelines after suffering a torn ACL injury in the Community Shield final victory over Liverpool.
Sane, 23, is one of City's key players but Pep Guardiola will be without the German winger for most of the campaign following his devastating injury setback.
It has also spelled the end of an immediate move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who were in negotiations to sign him for a club-record fee.
Former Schalke star Sane has since undergone surgery ahead of his painstaking recovery.
And City players decided to support their pal by wearing shirts with his name and number 19 during their warm-up against Spurs at the Etihad this afternoon.
However, a number of supporters quickly took to Twitter in response to poke jokes at the tribute.
One said: “Someone tell Manchester City that Leroy Sane only suffered an injury, he didn't die. Cringe.”
Another wrote: “RIP Leroy Sane. Gone but never forgotten.”
One tweeted: “Leroy Sane's at home wearing a Bayern Munich shirt.”
Another added: “The state of Man City players wearing shirts dedicated to Leroy Sane… he ain't dead lol.
Spiff 98
179
Peoplw who are mocking them with such comments are idiots. They do not understand that an injury this severe, which costs u a whole season is worst for a player who is young talented and wants to perform. Brainless sapiens
Socacdprtz
86
Last time they did it with Gundogan shirt this time Sane. This makes them kind hearted ♥
Ossboy
58
I have two opinions for that. 1 City doesn't want Sané to leave. 2 City means goodbye to Sané.