Man City vs Man United: Foden heads first Premier League goal since January after ‘absolutely fantastic’ Doku run

Phil Foden ended a wait of almost eight months for a Premier League goal by scoring with an expert header as Manchester City hosted Manchester United on Sunday.

Former top-flight player of the season Doku guided Jeremy Doku’s delivery emphatically beyond goalkeeper Altay Bayindir for his seventh goal in seven derby appearances, netting for the first time in the league since a goal at home to Chelsea on January 25.

Phil Foden lights up the Etihad in the derby! 💥 pic.twitter.com/L1zRMuATsp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2025

“The initial work from Doku is absolutely fantastic,” former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports.

“The ball lands back at his feet and he pops the ball back into a really good area.

“It was a really good move from City. Doku has had a really good start to the game.”

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Man City vs Man United: Foden goal

Doku surged past Luke Shaw on a blistering run inside the penalty area on the right and found Foden at the second attempt after his initial cross was repelled by Manuel Ugarte.

Foden was named the league’s finest player in 2023/24 but acknowledged he had been a shadow of his formidable best at the end of an underwhelming subsequent season.

The 25-year-old was prolific during City’s Club World Cup campaign in June and July but had only featured for 15 minutes of the new season before starting against United.

Man City team vs Man United

New signing Gianluigi Donnarumma made his City debut in goal, replacing England’s James Trafford.

The Cityzens were without forward Omar Marmoush, who was forced in Egypt’s World Cup qualifier away to Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Marmoush suffered a knee injury in the 0-0 draw and was absent alongside midfielders Rayan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic and wideman Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Defender John Stones remained out after withdrawing from England duty for the recent qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Foden was not selected for those games.

Erling Haaland, who required stitches following a freak incident involving the door of the team bus while away with Norway, started after netting five goals for his country in an 11-1 demolition of Moldova on Tuesday.

Man City starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland

Man City substitutes: James Trafford, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Divine Mukasa, Rico Lewis, Stephen Mfuni

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Man United starting line-up vs Man City

Forward Matheus Cunha and midfielder Mason Mount were out for United with injuries suffered during their 3-2 home win over Burnley on August 30.

Centre-back Lisandro Martinez remained sidelined with a long-term knee injury and full-back Diogo Dalot was unavailable after withdrawing from Portugal’s squad last week with a muscle injury.

With goalkeeper Andre Onana now on loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor, manager Ruben Amorim stuck with Bayindir rather than turning to new signing Senne Lammens.

Man United starting XI: Altay Bayindir, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko

Man United substitutes: Tom Heaton, Senne Lammens, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Diego Leon, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee