During the recent Manchester derby at Old Trafford, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his strong disapproval of the offensive chants aimed at Phil Foden’s mother by a section of Manchester United fans.
The match itself was uneventful on the pitch, ending in a goalless 0-0 draw, but the atmosphere in the stands turned sour due to the inappropriate behavior of some supporters.
Despite there being no major on-field incidents between the players, certain Manchester United fans targeted Foden throughout the game with deeply disrespectful chants, which drew widespread criticism. Guardiola did not hold back in his post-match comments, describing the chants as a serious lack of respect and class.
He clarified, however, that he does not believe this behavior reflects Manchester United as a football institution, but rather it points to a section of individuals whose conduct is unacceptable. “It’s a lack of class, and they should be ashamed,” Guardiola stated firmly, underlining the global reach and influence of football and why such actions should never be tolerated.
Foden, who has been a vital player for City in recent seasons, had a challenging game and was eventually substituted for Jack Grealish.
However, Guardiola quickly dismissed the notion that the young midfielder is struggling with confidence.
He praised Foden’s work ethic, enthusiasm, and positive spirit in training sessions, insisting that the 23-year-old still possesses the talent and mentality to perform at the highest level. Guardiola pointed to Foden’s significant contributions during the previous season, especially in helping City secure the Premier League title.
The City boss emphasized that the team’s recent dip in form is not the fault of one individual. Instead, he pointed out that when the squad as a whole is underperforming, it can make even top players look like they’re not at their best. “When the team is not playing at the level that we had, it looks like everyone is not what they were,” he explained.
Guardiola remained optimistic about the rest of the campaign, expressing confidence that his team will use the remaining fixtures – including the FA Cup semi-finals and the last eight league games – as a chance to improve and finish the season on a high note.
Guardiola reaffirmed his belief in the squad’s potential and determination. He encouraged his players to give their all and to continue learning from their experiences. “Everyone is going to give everything,” he said, confident that the lessons from this challenging period will fuel a strong response from the team.
