Pep Guardiola’s reaction as Manchester City missed a chance to go top four of the Premier League after a drab 0-0 derby draw at Old Trafford.
The 196th Manchester derby was the teams’ most low key clash in years, with the visitors fighting for a Champions League spot rather than a fifth straight title at a side needing to win the Europa League to save their season.
United and City – sat 13th and fifth in the table respectively – produced a subdued, scrappy and scoreless clash that lacked the drama seen in December, when Amorim’s men secured a last-gasp 2-1 turnaround at the Etihad Stadium.
Asked about Champions League qualification Guardiola said: “I prefer to have 10 more points or 12 more points. In the previous season there were five, six or seven games left, we were already qualified. But it is what is it. It’s Old Trafford. Always it’s difficult for the derby. We fought and we were there, and the players gave everything. We should attack with a little more fluidity. We miss it because the people say, ‘ah, we have to move more.’ No, we have to move less.”
He also hit out at Manchester United fans who chanted abuse about Phil Foden’s mother.
“(It was) a lack of class, but it’s not Man United, it’s the people,” the City manager said afterward. “It’s lack of integrity, class and they should be ashamed.
“We are so exposed, the people in the screen in the world of football — managers, owners and football players especially,” Guardiola said. “Honestly I don’t know, understand (what’s) in the mind the people… involving the mum of Phil.”
Foden struggled to make an impact in a disappointing derby, continuing a troubled season for last year’s player of the year in England.
The 24-year-old Foden is on a run of 13 games without a goal and has only scored 10 times in 40 appearances as City’s Premier League title defense has unraveled.