Phil Foden reveals what Pep Guardiola told him to score second goal against Manchester United | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola had specific instructions for Phil Foden that sparked Manchester City’s second goal against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, it has been revealed.

The reigning Premier League champions moved back to within just one point of current league leaders Liverpool with a sensational comeback victory over their bitter rivals at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

Marcus Rashford’s brilliant first-half opener was cancelled out by an equally-top level finish from Phil Foden in the second-half, before the City Academy product would make it a brace and see Erling Haaland round off the scoring late on.

For most of the contest, Foden was operating on the right of Manchester City’s attacking set-up, seeing himself cut in from the wide position to rocket home an equaliser well beyond the reach of Andre Onana.

Speaking after the contest, Phil Foden revealed that Pep Guardiola instructed Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden to switch sides, seeing the Englishman operate from the left of Manchester City’s front-three for the closing exchanges of the contest.

“Yeah the manager said switch sides with Bernardo (Silva),” revealed Phil Foden. “I switched and not long after I managed to score the second goal.”

Foden continued, “The manager knows best and I listened to him and it paid off in the end.”

For most of the ongoing season, Phil Foden has been providing staggering performances from the advanced playmaking position of the squad. However, Kevin De Bruyne’s return and subsequent form has seen Pep Guardiola somewhat rethink his system.

Foden is expected to play a crucial role in Manchester City’s remaining games this season, and could provide the difference between retaining elements of their Treble of last season, or not given his outings and most productive campaign in front of goal to date.

Next up for Manchester City is a trip to Anfield, taking on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side knowing that a win on Merseyside would move them two points clear at the top of the table heading into a clash with Arsenal at the end of the month.