Pep Guardiola has condemned the Manchester United fans who aimed abusive chants at Phil Foden during the Manchester derby, accusing them of lacking “class”.
The Manchester City manager reacted to the chants aimed at the England international after he was substituted during the dull goalless draw at Old Trafford which damaged his team’s chances of Champions League qualification.
The chants were aimed at Foden’s mother and Guardiola responded by saying: “The chants, to him? Lack of class. But it’s not United (the club), it’s the people.
“The people is… we are so exposed. The people who are now on the screen, in the world of football, managers, owners and football players, especially.
“Honestly, I don’t understand the minds of the people being involved (chanting about) the mum of Phil, being involved in that. It’s a lack of integrity, class and they should be ashamed.
“But it is what it is. It happens everywhere, I would say, not just in the UK. It is what it is.”
City were shocked and disgusted at the chants towards Foden – not least because of their frequency and the number of United fans involved.
The point leaves City in fifth place as they failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s goalless draw away to Brentford. Fifth might be enough to qualify for the Champions League but Aston Villa are just a point behind and, more dangerously, Newcastle United are two points in arrears but with two games in hand.
Asked if he was worried about not reaching the Champions League, Guardiola said: “Eight games (to go), Crystal Palace (next at home), go for it. I’d prefer to have 10 more points or 12 more points but it is what it is. It’s Old Trafford, it’s always difficult. We fought and we were there. The players gave everything. We should attack with more fluidity…I’m not concerned about next season right now, I’m just concerned about recovery, Crystal Palace, Everton, Aston Villa and FA Cup semi-finals.”
United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted his team remains a work-in-progress. “We have so many aspects to improve,” he said. “Everywhere we need to improve in every aspect, build-up, transition, decisions in the final third. Every player can improve, they are here because they showed something at other cubs. They have the quality.”
Quality, though, was very much lacking from both sides. “I’m not naive or crazy, I can see the moment we are in, I can look at the opponents and understand there is a big gap,” Amorim said. “But as a leader I cannot say we are going to take all of the time to close the gap. Even if we bring in more players we have to hurry and show urgency to do better because we don’t have much time at a club like this. We are in a rush.”
Criticism of the lacklustre performance ...
