Pep Guardiola accuses Man Utd fans of ‘a lack of class’ after vile Phil Foden chant

Manchester United and Manchester City stumbled to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday with Pep Guardiola left furious at the treatment Phil Foden received during the game

Pep Guardiola accused Manchester United fans of “a lack of class” and said “they should be ashamed” for vile taunts towards Phil Foden. Sections of United fans taunted Manchester City and England midfielder Foden with chants of “your mum is a fat s***” during the goalless derby encounter at Old Trafford.

Guardiola was asked about the chants aimed at Foden, who was substituted just before the hour mark, and did not hold back in his criticism of those United fans responsible. Guardiola said: “A lack of class. But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know?

“We are so exposed, the people who are on the screen in world football – managers, owners, and football players especially. Honestly, I don’t understand what goes on in the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed. But it is what it is. It happens everywhere, not just in the UK.”

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City sources said the club were “shocked and disgusted” by the chants aimed at Foden, how many fans were involved in the abusive taunt and how often it was sung.

Foden has endured a difficult season during the 2024/25 campaign. He has ten goals in all competitions – that after netting on 27 occasions last term on the way to being named the Premier League Player of the Season.

Speaking about his drop in form this campaign, Guardiola added: “When the team is not playing at the level that we had, it looks like everyone is not what they were. There are no doubts about Phil. I see the passion and smile on his face every day in training and that is what I want.

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“He has not had that impact but not just Phil – if you see the numbers of many players who have been four, five, six years in terms of goals and assists this year we drop incredible and it’s all of them – not one. One would be easy but it’s all of them. That’s why we are struggling to create and win games but the quality is there.

“Sometimes in long careers always you have seasons where you are not. Maybe last season was the peak in terms of (Foden) being the best player in the Premier League. He won the Premier League in the last games, in the game against West Ham with two goals.

“His impact was incredible and he will be back. He fought, he had chances, he shot in the first half and chances that normally the ball is in the net. It happens but now is not to judge. We are where we are, we knew it.”

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