Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has fiercely criticized a section of Manchester United fans for directing abusive and derogatory chants at Phil Foden’s mother during Sunday’s goalless Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The incident, which overshadowed an otherwise lackluster 0-0 draw between the two Premier League rivals, has sparked widespread condemnation and reignited discussions about fan behavior in football.
The chants, which targeted Claire Rowlands, the mother of the 24-year-old Manchester City midfielder, were heard throughout the first half of the match. Foden, a Stockport native and England international, was substituted in the 58th minute, drawing jeers from the home crowd as he left the pitch. In response, Foden was seen ironically clapping and gesturing toward the United supporters, a defiant reaction to the abuse.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Guardiola did not hold back in expressing his disgust at the behavior of those involved. “Lack of class,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration. “But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know? 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.” The Spaniard emphasized that such actions reflect poorly on the individuals responsible rather than the club as a whole, noting, “We are so exposed in world football—managers, owners, and especially football players.”
The chants reportedly referenced an incident from September 2023, when Rowlands was arrested for drunk and disorderly behavior following an altercation at a nightclub in Wales. The personal nature of the abuse has drawn sharp criticism from Manchester City, with senior club figures reportedly “shocked and disgusted” by both the scale and frequency of the chants.
Foden himself addressed the incident indirectly late Sunday night, posting on social media with the caption “We keep going” alongside photos from the match. The succinct three-word message, accompanied by no further comment on the chants, underscored his determination to rise above the provocation. The midfielder, who enjoyed a stellar 2023-24 season with 27 goals and 13 assists en route to the Premier League Player of the Season award, has struggled for form this campaign, managing 10 goals in 40 appearances amid City’s faltering title defense.
Guardiola’s comments have been met with a mixed response. Manchester United sources were quick to distance the club from the actions of the fans, stressing that they “condemn abusive chants against all players.” Meanwhile, some rival supporters took to social media to defend the chanting as part of football’s tribal culture, though many others joined Guardiola in calling it unacceptable.
The dull draw at Old Trafford did little to shift the narrative away from the off-field controversy. Manchester City, currently fifth in the Premier League table, missed an opportunity to climb into the top four, while United’s struggles under new manager Ruben Amorim continued. Guardiola acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, admitting, “The players know it—we weren’t good enough to beat them,” but the focus remained squarely on the chants.
This is not the first time Guardiola has faced fan-related controversies this season. In February, Real Madrid supporters aimed homophobic chants at him during a Champions League match, a reminder of the intense scrutiny and hostility that high-profile figures in football often endure. For Foden, a local lad who has become a symbol of Manchester City’s success, the personal attack struck a particularly raw nerve.