Phil Foden Song Upsets Pep

Sunday’s Manchester derby ended in a goalless draw — a match that lacked drama on the pitch but stirred controversy off it, particularly surrounding chants aimed at Manchester City’s Phil Foden. Pep Guardiola was left visibly frustrated after the match, not by the result, but by a Phil Foden song and the treatment of the young star.

Throughout the 90 minutes of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, sections of the United crowd were heard singing offensive chants targeting Foden and his family. The content of the song appeared to reference a widely publicized incident from 2022, when Foden was involved in a scuffle outside a Manchester nightclub. The then-21-year-old was caught on video shielding his mother after she was physically assaulted during the altercation. Despite the chaotic nature of the incident, Foden was largely praised at the time for stepping in to protect his family.

Guardiola Hits Out at Phil Foden Song

Now, years later, some rival fans have chosen to weaponize that moment in the form of terrace chants. Guardiola did not mince words in his post-match interview.

“It’s a lack of class,” the City manager said. “But it’s not United, it’s people. We are so exposed — the people who are on the screen of world football. Managers, owners, and football players especially. Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed. It happens everywhere, not just in the UK.”

The comments highlight a growing issue in modern football where personal lives and off-pitch moments are dragged into the hostile theatre of matchday rivalry. While banter and rivalry have long been part of football culture, Guardiola clearly sees a line that was crossed on Sunday.

Disappointing Manchester Derby

On the field, however, it was a different kind of disappointment. The 0-0 draw offered little in the way of entertainment. City had the majority of possession but struggled to break through United’s deep 5-4-1 setup.

“Every time we come here, or at the Etihad, it’s the same,” Guardiola explained. “They defend narrow, deep, and hit you on the transition. That’s how they play, and they’re good at it. But we weren’t good enough to hurt them or punish them.”

While City remain firmly in the title race, the performance left something to be desired — and the post-match narrative quickly shifted from tactics to terrace behavior. For Guardiola, the real disappointment wasn’t just the draw — it was what his player had to endure along the way.