Pep Guardiola told Manchester United fans they should be ‘ashamed’ for targeting Phil Foden with abusive chants about his mother at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Foden came under fire during a lame Manchester derby that ended goalless, with City understood to be shocked and disgusted by how many United fans were involved. United sources on Sunday night said they condemn abusive chants against all players.
‘It’s a lack of class,’ said Guardiola afterwards. ‘But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know? We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football: managers, owners, and football players especially.
‘Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.’
Sections of the United home support could be heard labelling Foden’s mother, Claire Rowlands, 44, a ‘s**g’ as they taunted him during his 58 minutes on the field.
Foden was then withdrawn and replaced by Jeremy Doku, leading to more jeers.
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Pep Guardiola hit out at Manchester United fans who chanted about Phil Foden’s mother
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Foden was targeted during a drab Manchester derby that ended goalless at Old Trafford
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Claire Rowlands, 44, is pictured alongside her son as he signs a contract in December 2018
But Guardiola rejected any suggestions the 24-year-old is low on confidence and has backed him to discover the form that has helped lead City to six league titles.
‘When the team is not playing at the level that we had, it looks like everyone is not what they were,’ the Spaniard added. ‘I see the passion and smile on his face every day in training and that is what I want.
‘You see the numbers of players who have been four, five, six years. This year we drop and it’s all of them – that’s why we are struggling to win but the quality is there.
‘He won the Premier League in the last games [last year], in the game against West Ham with two goals. His impact was incredible and he will be back.’
Meanwhile, former United stars Gary Neville and Roy Keane were critical of the lack of passion from both teams.
Neville frowned at the players embracing at full-time, saying: ‘The love-in that I’m watching tells you that both teams feel happy with a 0-0. They’re going for a roast dinner now.
‘It’s a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder, risk and courage.’
Keane added: ‘I can’t believe this – this is a friendly derby.’
United boss Ruben Amorim hit back, saying: ‘I understand Gary Neville is critical about everything!’