Manchester City fullback Kyle Walker has dismissed criticism from Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.

For England, Walker conceded the penalty that threatened, for almost an hour, to gift Tunisia a point and rob England of two in their opening World Cup match. Ferdinand accused him of being badly positioned and said: “He's looking at his goalkeeper and that is criminal."

“Rio is entitled to his opinion," he said. “He was not playing the game, so that is it."

Walker continued: “I've had more knocks than a penalty decision given against me. It wasn't the ideal start, but I have to pick myself up.

“I can't let things like that affect me – others might be looking to me to pull them through the game."