Phil Foden hits back at critics after Manchester derby – and dedicates win to Ricky Hatton

Phil Foden says it felt good to respond to his critics with a goal in the Manchester derby.

The Man City attacker opened the scoring in his side’s 3-0 win over rivals United.

And the 25-year-old had a message for his critics after the game. 

“Definitely, there’s been a lot of talk as I’ve seen,” Foden told Sky Sports when asked if it felt good to respond to the criticism of him. 

“Everything I see at the moment is quite negative but that’s the world we live in when you’re playing at the highest level.

“But when you come off winning player of the season as well, the standards are higher and I understand that.

“It’s about reading those comments and reacting as best I can to get back to my level.”

Erling Haaland added a double after Foden’s opener to make it a comfortable win for City.

And Foden also dedicated the win to former world Champion boxer and Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton, who has died at the age of 46.

“It was for him and his family and for the people suffering right now,” Foden said. “The lads gave everything. It wasn’t a pretty match but it was all for him.”