Phil Foden’s Lionel Messi and Pablo Zabaleta impressions give strong hint over Man City future

When the team news was released an hour before Manchester City's 2-0 FA Cup win against Peterborough United on Tuesday evening, there was a collective sense of disappointment among City fans.

Pep Guardiola selected an incredibly strong side for the trip to fifth round trip to the Championship strugglers, one that included no youth teamers.

However, there was one exciting inclusion. Phil Foden was listed as a midfielder rather than a winger or false nine, giving him a rare opportunity to play the number eight role he excelled in at youth level. He did not disappoint, both when attacking and tracking back.

Here are four of his best moments.

49': Workhorse

In the recent matches against Tottenham and Everton, City's midfield looked slow and vulnerable after losing the ball. One possible explanation for that is that Guardiola decided to play Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne as the eights in front of Rodri, with neither providing the defensive work rate that Bernardo Silva does.

A few minutes into the second half, Foden showed exactly what City's midfield has been lacking recently. A well-constructed Peterborough attack looked destined to end in a goal when the ball was squared to Jorge Grant, who was waiting unmarked 12 yards from goal.

Suddenly Foden appeared out of nowhere to nick the ball away and clear the danger, having just sprinted half the length of the field to help out - the sort of lung-bursting heroics Pablo Zabaleta would have been proud to call his own.

We all know how good Foden is going forward, but putting in those defensive hard yards is a vital component for any top-class midfielder.

65': Outside of the foot

After a moment of Riyad Mahrez genius gave City the lead, Foden stepped things up a notch and