Phil Foden is eager to silence his critics by regaining his best form. He scored in Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Manchester United, opening the scoring with an 18th-minute header. Erling Haaland added two more goals in the second half. This win was crucial for City after consecutive losses to Tottenham and Brighton.
Foden's goal marked his seventh in Premier League Manchester derbies, trailing only Haaland, Wayne Rooney, and Sergio Aguero, who each have eight. This was Foden's first Premier League goal since January 25. His performance came after limited playtime in City's initial three games of the 2025-26 season and a challenging 2024-25 campaign.
Foden had previously excelled in the 2023-24 season with 29 goal involvements, earning him
the Premier League Player of the Season award. However, he struggled last season with just nine contributions. Despite this dip, Foden remains determined to return to top form.
He LOVES a derby pic.twitter.com/FeXyPw4KKY
Manchester City (@ManCity) September 14, 2025
After the match, Foden addressed criticism he's faced: "There has been a lot of talk. It's impossible [not to see it]. Everything I see at the moment is negative, but that's the world we live in. " He acknowledged that expectations are higher after winning Player of the Season and emphasized his commitment to returning to his best level.
Erling Haaland expressed support for Foden: "We have to keep going, and we have to keep him going; we need him so much. This is the Phil we need. " Haaland stressed their collective effort to help Foden regain his form.
Tribute to Ricky Hatton
Before kick-off, City honoured boxing legend Ricky Hatton with a minute's applause following his passing at age 46. Foden dedicated City's win to Hatton and his family: "I had extra motivation going into the game. It was for him and his family and all the people suffering right now. "
The team showed determination throughout the match, ensuring their victory was meaningful for Hatton's memory. City will face Napoli next in the Champions League on Thursday before visiting Arsenal for their upcoming Premier League fixture.
Manchester City's recent win not only boosted their morale but also highlighted Foden's potential resurgence as a key player for the team this season.
