Pep Guardiola discusses importance of Manchester City fan Phil Foden's role against United

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been keen to explain the importance of Phil Foden's fandom in the derby clash with United.

Freddie Pye

Published 08:52 2 Oct 2022 GMT+1Updated 12:45 4 Jan 2023 GMT

Phil Foden's support for Manchester City since he was a boy will be 'important' in the derby clash with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, says Pep Guardiola.

The Stockport-born youngster has supported the Etihad side since he was a young boy.

Attending matches with his family as a youngster, Foden is most-known for being in attendance at the 2012 Premier League title-winning clash against Queens Park Rangers.

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That game saw a 93rd minute strike from Sergio Aguero win Manchester City their first ever Premier League trophy.

Aguero wrote his name into Manchester City's history books with the title-winning goal against QPR (Image credit: Alamy)

Perhaps most importantly for Foden, it gave him the first winning feeling of getting one directly over on rivals Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team missed out on the league title on goal difference that season, and is likely to be a victory for City that Phil Foden will never forget.

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This weekend, the England international forward has the opportunity to inflict yet more pain on his bitter rivals, as Manchester City take on Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against Manchester United this weekend, Pep Guardiola said of Phil Foden's support for City, "Of course, it’s nice. Phil is a City fan.

"It’s important.

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"Not just for the game, the day before and after they have to behave as players for Manchester City.

“Focus on what you have to do on the pitch."

The Catalan coach continued, “Just to be a Manchester City player doesn’t mean you are going to play good or bad.

“For Phil, if he can beat United and win the Premier League as he has already at such a young age, this is important."

Phil Foden (Twitter)

The back-to-back PFA Young Premier League Player of the Year is likely to start as part of Manchester City's front-three against the Red Devils on Sunday afternoon.

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Foden has forged a strong partnership with new striker Erling Haaland, despite a somewhat rocky start to life together during the earliest stages of the new campaign.

That is a striking pairing that Manchester City fans will be hoping works to perfection this weekend, alongside the contributions of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.