“We need him so much” – Pep Guardiola sets target for Manchester City first-team star | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants to see Phil Foden back to his best after the England forward scored in his boyhood club’s 3-0 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday.

Foden made his first start of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign count as he opened the scoring after 18 minutes with a perfect header past Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to remind his critics of just how good he can be.

The 25-year-old was heavily involved in Manchester City’s wave of attacks throughout, playing a key hand in his side’s second goal just after half-time as Erling Haaland’s delicate dink over Bayindir found the net and gave the hosts a cushion against their neighbours.

After spearheading Manchester City to a fourth successive Premier League title in 2024, Foden was voted the PFA Players’ Player of the Year as he enjoyed his best-ever season since breaking into the City starting XI in 2017 and frequently dragged City over the line in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne over the course of the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the Stockport-born attacker failed to match his incredible standards last term as he was in and out of Guardiola’s preferred starting XI, with Manchester City undergoing a sub-par, sobering season wherein they finished third in the Premier League with 71 points – their lowest league points tally under Guardiola.

In several interviews in the last six months, Foden has admitted to mental and physical issues derailing him from producing his best form in the last 12 months, with Manchester City fans on social media and pundits alike criticising the Englishman for his underwhelming displays in the last year.

Having enjoyed a good pre-season and summer, Foden suffered an injury setback at the start of the 2025-26 season that kept him on the sidelines for Manchester City’s opening trio of Premier League games – against Wolves, Tottenham and Brighton.

City made a strong start to the season with a convincing 4-0 battering of Wolves but subsequent defeats to Tottenham and Brighton confirmed the Blues’ worst start to a league campaign under Guardiola, with many wondering if Guardiola and co possess the creativity in midfield to challenge for the Premier League title.

Back in the starting XI against Manchester United on Sunday, Foden reminded Manchester City fans and Guardiola that he remains the club’s best chance of an architect-in-chief after this summer’s departure of De Bruyne.

Speaking in a post-match interview with Manchester City’s official channels, Guardiola said: “We missed him (Foden) so much. He moved behind the striker. He has the sense of the team and quality to keep the ball. Most play the ball and say, ‘Look how good the pass was’. He makes the pass and zoom!

“We cannot forget two seasons ago when we won the last game against West Ham. He (Foden) was the key player to win the Premier League (title). Last season, for injuries and other reasons he could not be with us but hopefully step by step, he can get back.

“He is a Manchester City supporter, and he can do what he’s able to do. Joy and happiness on his face and we’re going to have the best Phil. He played incredible. We need him so much.”