Wayne Rooney has admitted he was completely wrong about one Manchester City player.
Manchester City’s season ended in disappointment on Saturday as they were defeated 2-1 by Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s side were knocked off their stride by a disciplined and spirited United and didn’t reach anywhere near their best.
A mishap between Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Ortega gifted Alejandro Garnacho the opener before United cut City to shreds with a team move that resulted in Kobbie Mainoo scoring.
The Blues dominated possession and Erling Haaland rattled the crossbar but clear-cut chances were few and far between.
They finally pulled a goal back through Jeremy Doku but it wasn’t enough as several top stars failed to deliver.
It was a rare off-day for Phil Foden who was unable to have as much influence as normal.
Before the game, United legend Wayne Rooney had moved to praise Foden and admitted he was wrong about Guardiola’s treatment of him years ago.
Wayne Rooney admits he was wrong about Pep Guardiola’s Phil Foden stance
While praising Foden, Rooney was quick to credit Guardiola for how he handled the 23-year-old’s development when he was still a teenager.
He said on the BBC: “I think he’s incredible.
“And again I think Pep deserves a lot of credit because, myself included, a few years back was wondering why they weren’t sending him out on loan.
“He’s kept him with the squad, he’s kept him training, now we’re seeing him involved as this world-class player.
“For me, England need to build the team around him. I know Jude Bellingham, what he’s doing, but for me Phil Foden is the one you have to build the team around.”
Phil Foden will now have to pick himself up
Like the rest of the City squad, Foden left Wembley bitterly disappointed on Saturday. Perhaps even more so since he’s a boyhood fan.
It doesn’t erase the incredible achievement of once again winning the Premier League but it’s certainly a sour note to end on.
The £225,000-per-week playmaker, along with Kyle Walker and John Stones, will now have to dust themselves off and pick themselves up ahead of Euro 2024.
They don’t have long to recuperate as England will be in action in a pre-tournament friendly in just over a week on June 3.
If the Three Lions are to win then they will need all three City representatives to play better than they did in the final.