Teenager may feature at United after Kevin’s woe

TEENAGER Phil Foden could keep his place for Manchester City’s biggest Premier League game of the season at Old Trafford on Wednesday night following a suspected hamstring injury to Kevin De Bruyne.

Foden, 18, scored his first league goal in the 1-0 victory against Tottenham having been given a rare start by Guardiola and the manager confirmed he is under consideration for the derby after De Bruyne limped out after 38 minutes.

‘I am a genius because I selected Phil and he scored a goal,’ said Guardiola lightheartedly as his side bounced back from their dramatic Champions League exit against Tottenham just three days previously.

‘He is an incredibly talented player but we need to handle him in the right moment. Today we needed his capacity to press high and he has quality to arrive in the box. He always gets chances to score when plays.

‘It is not easy to play against Eric Dier and Dele Alli and it was an incredible experience for him. We trust him. On Friday, we decided he was going to play.’

City’s narrow win saw them return to the top of the table after a 10th consecutive victory in the league. Liverpool could leapfrog them again today with another three points at Cardiff, but City’s game in hand — at Old Trafford — now looks critical.

De Bruyne’s latest setback in an injury-hit season gives Guardiola a selection headache in midfield where Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Fernandinho are other options.

‘Maybe (Foden will play), maybe Kevin is not there, so we will see,’ added Guardiola. ‘I need to enjoy today and rest a bit and then watch as much games as possible from United.’