Erling Haaland's five-word Phil Foden verdict says it all after Man Utd win

It was a scene reminiscent from Manchester derbies past. Phil Foden and Erling Haaland have so often been Manchester United's tormentors-in-chief on derby day, and they proved to be so yet again on Sunday as Manchester City swatted their rivals aside without ever really hitting top gear.

Haaland has been an imperious force ever since he arrived on these shores in the summer of 2022, plundering goals at a remarkable rate. But even the Norwegian's outrageous returns have not been enough to maintain City's invincibility over the past 12 months, with Pep Guardiola's formerly unformidable side now mortal.

City's malaise has coincided with a difficult period for Foden, the most influential figure in their title triumph in the 2023-24 campaign. The attacking midfielder was back in full flow, though, in a fixture he has revelled in down the years.

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And his seventh goal against Manchester United in as many games could turn out to be the most substantial yet if it acts as the prelude to a renaissance for the Manchester City academy graduate.

If anyone knows that, it's Haaland. It was just 18 months ago that Foden was coronated as the Premier League's Player of the Season after driving City to a history-making fourth consecutive domestic crown. He struck up a formidable partnership with Haaland, who crowed about City's homegrown superstar after the derby. "We need him so much," the striker stressed.

The Foden we saw on Sunday was reminiscent of the diminutive magician that left the Premier League spellbound during City's march to four-in-a-row. When Foden is in full flight, few can match him. Even fewer can stop him, which is something Manchester United know only too well.

Much has been made of how Liverpool and Arsenal have strengthened this summer while talk of City mounting a serious challenge to reclaim their crown has been subdued. But do any of their new recruits rival Foden in his pomp? If Haaland and City can continue to support Foden and coax more magic out of those boots then there's an argument that a revitalised Foden would surpass them all.

“We cannot forget two seasons ago when we won the last game against West Ham. He was the key player to win the Premier League,” was the reminder from Guardiola as he waxed lyrical about Foden on Sunday.

Injuries prevented him from stepping up to the mantle as City's new kingpin last season with Kevin de Bruyne abdicating the throne long before his exit was finally signed off.

Foden has long been considered the natural heir to the Belgian maestro. And if that does come to pass in the coming months, then it will be far more significant than any signing Manchester City could make.

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