MY ACCOUNT
One of England’s biggest grudge matches could see two of the country’s hottest young talents take centre stage.
Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho are gearing up to make their mark as Manchester City face fierce foes Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Ahead of today’s crunch clash, we focus on the dazzling duo who could light up the Manchester derby.
Foden on fire
With five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in his last five appearances, Foden has had a fantastic few weeks.
Still only 21, the England international continues to go from strength to strength. He has hit double figures for the second campaign running and is on course to better his 2020-21 total of 16 goals in all competitions.
Foden’s quality has been crystal clear for some time but what has become increasingly apparent this term is his chameleonic versatility — a trait no doubt influenced by the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
Having played on both wings, in an attacking midfield role and as a false nine in City’s last four games alone, it is almost impossible to predict where Foden will operate for the Citizens on any given matchday.
Sancho’s resurgence
One of United’s marquee signings last summer, it would be an understatement to say Sancho struggled to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.
But the arrival of Ralf Rangnick appears to have sparked the former Borussia Dortmund winger into life — and he has looked much more like his sensational self over the past month or so.
With two goals and two assists in his last six starts, Sancho seems to be making up for lost time.
There should be plenty more to come from the one-time City youngster.
Pep’s patience pays off
The way Guardiola has gradually brought Foden through serves as a superb example of how to manage the development of young players.
Ex-England international Lee Dixon highlighted as much earlier this week.
He said: “Pep has, [despite] calls to play him [Foden] every week, managed him absolutely superbly. He’s world class already.”
Would Foden have become the player he already is had he not emerged under the watchful eye of one of the world’s great footballing minds? As naturally gifted as he is, quite possibly not.
City’s No47 has certainly been full of praise for his boss in the past.
Speaking last year, he said: “He [Guardiola] is the best coach I could ever ask for to improve my game.”
Learning from the best
Sancho was briefly with Foden at the Etihad but never made a first-team appearance and in sharp contrast to his England team-mate, he has played under seven different managers so far.
But the 21-year-old wideman admits he is learning a lot from his more senior colleagues at United.
In an interview with the club’s official website earlier this week, he said: “You’ve got Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane — all these guys have won major trophies and just being in the changing room with them gives you a blessed feeling.
“I’m definitely learning from them, on and off the pitch, especially in terms of their recovery and how they make themselves better.
“I’m taking in all the information I can and trying to put it into my game.”
After a bumpy start, Sancho looks well on his way to becoming United’s next superstar.
Stars of the present and future
Title challengers and top-four chasers respectively, City and United go into the 187th Manchester derby with rather different aims for the rest of the Premier League season.
But Foden and Sancho share a common goal in terms of becoming football greats. And it is in games such as these that the opportunity to earn hero status arises.
Regardless of what happens later, these two look well placed to define clashes between the Citizens and the Red Devils for years to come.
