Why Phil Foden was substituted at half-time in Manchester City’s derby defeat | OneFootball

Phil Foden was taken off for Rayan Cherki at half-time in Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s men suffered the latest setback to their title chances as second-half strikes from Bryan Mbuemo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a monumental 2-0 win for Michael Carrick in the first game of his second caretaker stint at Manchester United.

Manchester City produced one of their worst displays in years across town as they remain winless in the Premier League in 2026, having drawn thrice consecutively against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton earlier this month.

Arsenal failed to truly capitalise on City’s latest disappointment as the Gunners were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest, though they did extend their margin at the top of the Premier League to seven points as a result.

Guardiola made three changes to his starting XI for the derby from Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in the opening leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie earlier in the week.

Rodri, Rico Lewis and Gianluigi Donnarumma came in for Nico O’Reilly, Matheus Nunes and James Trafford, with City eyeing their first league triumph of the calendar year as they look to trim an ever-growing deficit to Arsenal.

However, Manchester United were the better team from start to finish as Guardiola and co were handed another major blow by a result that has raised serious questions over City’s prospects in the title race.

Eyebrows were raised at Old Trafford when Phil Foden was taken off at half-time for Rayan Cherki, with City desperate for inspiration in attack after a toothless showing in the first 45 minutes – though it only got worse after the interval.

As reported by Telegraph Sport’s James Ducker on X, Foden left Old Trafford with his right hand heavily bandaged, with the full extent of the injury yet to be revealed as Manchester City are expected to conduct scans on the same.

However, it is worth noting that Guardiola refuted that Foden suffered a broken right hand against United in his post-match press conference, with the Catalan expected to provide an update on the England international ahead of next week’s UEFA Champions League group-stage clash against Bodø/Glimt.

City will be hopeful that Foden’s issue is not as serious as it appeared as they need every bit of help they can get in attack, having been the architects of their own downfall in their last four Premier League games.

Guardiola is expected to have Omar Marmoush in contention for the midweek trip to Norway after the Egypt forward suffered elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal last week and lost on penalties to Nigeria in this weekend’s third-place fixture.