PEP GUARDIOLA called Phil Foden the “best player in the Premier League” after his Manchester derby heroics.
And one incredible stat from the two-goal Man City hero put United to shame.
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Marcus Rashford’s 30-yard strike stunned the Etihad on eight minutes but the Red Devils barely threatened Guardiola’s team after that.
Despite that, they still went in at the break leading – largely thanks to Erling Haaland’s “worst miss ever” – but then Foden took centre stage.
The 23-year-old England attacker curled a superb shot past Andre Onana to level on 56 minutes.
United remained set up to try to stifle City and were hanging on at 1-1 when two of their key players were forced off – which their manager Erik ten Hag claims cost them.
Then with just ten minutes to go he fired them ahead as he burst away from Casemiro following a one-two with Julian Alvarez.
Haaland then rounded off the scoring in stoppage time to secure Manchester derby bragging rights and the 3-1 victory.
United only managed to muster three shots, with one on target, all game – while Foden alone had THREE TIMES as many.
After taking his tally to 18 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions this term, it was Foden that rightly took home the player of the match award.
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And his boss Guardiola hailed the academy product’s “world class” abilities as he called him the Premier League’s best player this season.
He said: “Right now, he is the best (in the league). To be world class you have to win games. He’s winning games.
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“Always he scored goals but now he’s winning games. When you do this you reach another level as a player.
“He will already be a legendary player because at his age, the games played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from here and that is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable.
“He is the player of the season. With all respect for the incredible players but no-one has been so decisive for us as him this season.”
Team-mate Kyle Walker added: “We call him ‘The Sniper’ because he loves a shot. So when he comes in on that left foot you know he has got the quality and composure to pick his spot.
“Phil has taken on more responsibility this season.
“We need important players like him who can win you games.”
The modest matchwinner vowed to just “keep working hard” after his latest exploits.
Foden said: “It’s my aim to turn up in the big games.
“That’s what I want to do and this season I think I’ve done that. I just need to keep working hard.”
