Phil Foden will have “legendary” status at Manchester City and has been the reigning champions’ most “decisive” player in their bid to retain their title, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
England international Foden took his tally for 2023/24 to 18 goals in all competitions with two in 25 second-half minutes to turn the scoreline around in City’s 3-1 home win over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
“Winning games is when you become a world-class player,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after his side moved a point behind leaders Liverpool.
“Everyone can play well but you have to win games, and he wins games. What can I say? He loves football. He lives to play. There are people who like to play. He loves to play football.”
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Foden has four goals and one assist in his last five games in all competitions, answering Marcus Rashford’s spectacular early opener for United by equalising from long range 11 minutes after the break in the derby.
The Manchester-born academy product added his second in the culmination of a slick exchange with Julian Alvarez, giving City the lead for the first time with 10 minutes remaining before Erling Haaland struck in added time.
“That is one derby diamond!” 💎
Phil Foden with a ROCKET! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/EftQ3w7MUC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 3, 2024
Foden goals v United ‘decisive’
“He will already be a legendary player because he is at a young age, the games he has played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from [here],” said Guardiola.
“That is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable. He is the player of the season.
“With all the respect [to our] incredible players, no-one has been so decisive for us as him this season.”
Phil Foden AGAIN!
He just can’t stop scoring in the Manchester derby! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JwDGkrdCuZ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 3, 2024
Despite being behind to their sixth-placed opponents and not scoring before the interval, Guardiola claimed he preferred the first 45 minutes from his team.
Haaland should have equalised just before half-time but implausibly volleyed over the crossbar from a position almost on the line.
“We were not struggling,” Guardiola suggested. “We were losing the game but not struggling. We were really good defensively and offensively. The first half was better than the second.”
