Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his disappointment following Sunday’s goalless Manchester derby, not only over the result but also over abusive chants directed at Phil Foden by a section of Manchester United supporters. The City boss described the chants, which targeted Foden’s mother, as lacking “class” and integrity.
The incident occurred during the first half at Old Trafford, with the abuse coming from the Stretford End while City were attacking that end of the pitch. Guardiola did not hold back in his assessment, stating that the individuals responsible should be ashamed. He emphasized that while it wasn’t a reflection on Manchester United as a club, the behavior of some supporters crossed a line. According to Guardiola, players and managers in football are constantly under public scrutiny, but certain personal attacks, particularly involving family, show a total lack of decency.
Within City, there was genuine shock and disgust at the nature and volume of the chants. While Manchester United have a policy of condemning all forms of abusive chanting, the scale of the incident added further frustration to what had already been a tense derby.
The game itself ended without a goal, leaving City in fifth place with 52 points, one behind Chelsea in fourth. With seven matches remaining in the Premier League season, Guardiola is focused on the road ahead, including upcoming games against Crystal Palace, Everton, and Aston Villa, as well as a crucial FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola admitted he would have preferred to be in a stronger position in the table but insisted there was still everything to play for. He praised his players’ effort and defensive discipline but lamented a lack of fluidity in attack. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Old Trafford, even against a United side that has struggled this season. While City had the majority of the ball and controlled many phases of play, they struggled to break down a disciplined United defense.
For Manchester United, the result left them 13th in the table and continuing to battle through a challenging transitional period. Head coach Ruben Amorim reflected on the task at hand, admitting that true dominance, especially against a team like City, would take considerable time and patience. He pointed out that United must rely on different strengths to compete while they work toward a more possession-based style of play.
Amorim drew comparisons to a recent match against Arsenal, suggesting that while there were positives to take from that performance, the derby presented a different kind of test. He acknowledged City’s excellence in ball control and buildup play, recognizing the long-term work needed to replicate such a system. Despite the difficulties, Amorim stressed that there is progress being made, even if gradual.
He admitted the pressure is mounting and that everyone at the club is feeling the weight of expectations during this period of transformation. Looking ahead, he made it clear that there must be tangible improvement by next season, and results need to start reflecting the work being done behind the scenes.
After the final whistle, a small but vocal group of United supporters participated in a sit-in protest organized by the 1958 group. The demonstration, aimed at the Glazer family’s ownership of the club, drew a few hundred fans who remained in the stadium, voicing their continued dissatisfaction with the state of affairs at Old Trafford.
