Phil Foden did what Marcus Rashford couldn't and it makes him the best Manchester has

This was a Manchester derby with a Mancunian heart. A Stockport-born star on either side and a lad from Wythenshawe igniting the drama.

When Marcus Rashford stunned the Etihad into silence after eight minutes, it looked like it might be his day. A United academy graduate whose relationship with the supporters has become increasingly frayed, he picked his moment to try and make amends.

Rashford's 25-yard thunderbolt was a strike worthy of winning any derby and having been criticised for his body language in midweek, there was nothing wrong with his demeanour as he tore off towards the away fans to celebrate. But it probably summed Rashford up that he drifted out of the game after that, wasting two excellent opportunities later in the half.

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Instead, he would be a mere footnote on derby day, even if his goal will stand the test of time when it comes to the folklore of this fixture. If he started quickly and faded, withdrawn with 16 minutes still to go, the opposite was true of Phil Foden, who only began to make his mark on these contests last year.

His hat-trick in the 6-3 win at the Etihad last season was overshadowed by Erling Haaland's own treble, but Foden scored again at Old Trafford earlier this season, on a day when Haaland struck two. This time though, there would be nobody taking the headlines away from Foden.

Kobbie Mainoo might be the rising star from Stockport, but on the evidence of this season Foden is the world-class footballer. He is Manchester's greatest at the moment. He is becoming one of the world's best. According to Pep Guardiola, he is the best in the Premier League at the moment.

His was a slow burn of a game. He