Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are still reeling from unpleasant incidents involving fans during last weekend’s Manchester derby — but stressed the issue goes beyond football.
Grealish, who came on as a second-half substitute during the goalless draw at Old Trafford, was allegedly slapped by a spectator while walking into the players’ tunnel. A 20-year-old man has since been charged with assault.
Meanwhile, Foden was subjected to offensive chants aimed at his mother from sections of the Manchester United crowd during the first half — a moment Guardiola later criticised as showing “a lack of class.”
Although Manchester United have privately condemned the chanting, the Football Association has opted not to issue formal charges against the club.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Crystal Palace, Guardiola offered an update on the emotional state of his players.
“They don’t feel good,” he admitted. “But we move forward. It’s a crazy world. Nobody is away from that. It’s not just about United or one football club — it’s society. It happens everywhere.”
Guardiola’s comments point to growing concerns about player safety and the toxic environment sometimes created by fans at high-stakes matches. The derby, despite ending in a stalemate, has drawn headlines not for the football, but for the incidents that marred it.
City, currently sixth in the Premier League, continue to face challenges on the pitch as well. They remain without several key players, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake, all ruled out through injury ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace at the Etihad on Saturday.
As the focus shifts back to football this weekend, Guardiola and his squad will be looking to put the derby drama behind them — but the conversation about fan behavior and player protection is far from over.
