Phil Foden can take on Sergio Aguero role for Man City against Manchester United

For over a decade, Sergio Agüero was Manchester City’s ultimate big-game player. The Argentine was one of the league’s most feared marksmen, but since his departure, Stockport’s own Phil Foden has stepped up to the plate.

In big games, in big moments, Foden has made the difference and is showing similar traits to one of his childhood idols. So maybe it’s time for him to make the difference in one of the games he grew up watching in the stands – the Manchester Derby.

A lot has been said about City’s failure to, so far, recruit a recognised number nine. But the facts don’t lie, in that time, Pep Guardiola has masterminded his side to a Premier League title, a Carabao Cup and a club-first Champions League final. Not to mention this season’s team is still on course to capture a historic treble.

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But to continue on that path, they will have to swat aside their cross-town rivals, with Liverpool still breathing down their necks in the Premier League.

Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United are struggling. Considering all the Red Devils’ problems seemed to rest with their backline under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, it has flipped completely on its head under Rangnick – with United particularly wasteful in their last game against Watford, failing to convert from 23 attempts on goal.

In comparison, the Blues are the league’s second-highest scorers with 64, just six behind Liverpool. City certainly know how to put the ball into the back of the net, and Foden has been a big reason behind that.

His transition into Guardiola’s go-to man for the false nine role has been outstanding for a 21-year-old, and this season he has shown his hunger to influence the game on the biggest of