Phil Foden’s instant reaction to Man United fans’ ‘classless’ song about his mum revealed in new footage, as Man City manager Pep Guardiola says they should be ‘ashamed’

Footage of Phil Foden sarcastically clapping and giving a thumbs up to Manchester United fans has been shared online, after a group of supporters targeted the Man City star with abusive chants about his mother during Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.

Foden came under fire during Manchester City’s limp 0-0 stalemate with local rivals United, as sections of Old Trafford’s home support taunted the 24-year-old star by labelling his mother, Claire Rowlands, 44, a ‘s**g’ while he was playing.

The England international, who was withdrawn in the 58th minute of the derby for second-half substitute Jeremy Doku, did not stand idle while being abused by supporters — with footage showing him firing back a series of sarcastic gestures at the culprits in the stands.

In a video shared to social media platform TikTok on Sunday, Foden can be seen ironically clapping the supporters and giving them a thumbs up while inside Manchester United’s penalty area, before defiantly gesturing for them to continue.

Pep Guardiola told United fans they should be ‘ashamed’ of themselves for targeting Foden in the aftermath of the goalless draw, while City are understood to be shocked and disgusted by how many Red Devils supporters were involved.

‘It’s a lack of class,’ said Guardiola afterwards. ‘But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know? We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football: managers, owners, and football players especially.

WARNING: FOUL LANGUAGE 

Phil Foden reacted to Man United fans after they targeted him with abusive chants on Sunday

Claire Rowlands, 44, is pictured alongside her son as he signs a contract in December 2018

‘Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.’

The City boss, however, rejected any suggestions Foden is low on confidence and has backed him to discover the form that has helped lead his side to six league titles. 

‘When the team is not playing at the level that we had, it looks like everyone is not what they were,’ the Spaniard added. ‘I see the passion and smile on his face every day in training and that is what I want.

‘You see the numbers of players who have been four, five, six years. This year we drop and it’s all of them – that’s why we are struggling to win but the quality is there.

‘He won the Premier League in the last games [last year], in the game against West Ham with two goals. His impact was incredible and he will be back.’

Foden’s mother came into the public eye in January 2024 after footage was released of her being put in handcuffs and thrown out of a Welsh nightclub after knocking a hat from a fellow partygoer’s head.

The incident, which occurred at a Bentley’s nightclub in Towyn, Wales, took place on September 9 2023, just hours after Foden came off the bench to play for England in a Euro 2024 qualifier. 

The 52-second clip, shown in court, showed Rowlands aggressively confronting police officers who were called to the scene.

Challenging the officers, she said: ‘Go on then, what’ve I done? Don’t come into my face unless you’ve got evidence.’

City boss Pep Guardiola hit out at Manchester United fans who chanted about Foden’s mother

The Manchester City and England midfielder has previously posted on Instagram to credit his parents Phil Snr and mother Claire (pictured with him) for his success in the game 

Foden with mother Claire (right) and girlfriend Rebecca Cooke (in red) at the 2022 World Cup

Another friend said, ‘No, she’s coming home with me’, as officers replied, ‘She’s staying with us for a minute.’

Rowlands was cleared of assault and but fined for her behaviour after she admitted to police: ‘I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal.’

Ahead of the Manchester derby, Foden opened up on what has proved a difficult season both for him and City, with the Premier League champions fifth in the Premier League table and 21 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool.

Man City are in contention for just one piece of silverware at the end of term – the FA Cup – after unusually early exits in the Carabao Cup and Champions League as well.

The PFA Players’ Player of the Year told GQ that both he and his team-mates are determined to remain ‘positive’.

‘Being in this position, I’ve not really been used to it, so it’s just something you’ve got to take on the chin,’ Foden said. 

‘Unfortunately it’s just one of them seasons. We can still finish it off strong and we’ve just got to remain positive and trust in everything that we’ve done and stick together.’

Foden shares three children, including social media star Ronnie and daughter True, with his partner Rebecca Cooke, and he was keen to stress the important perspective they bring to his life during the interview.

Foden has endured a difficult season at Manchester City but has vowed to remain ‘positive’ 

The City star pictured with Cooke and his social media star son Ronnie at the 2024 PFA Awards

‘I love being a parent,’ Foden added. ‘When things are not going well, if you’ve not won, you don’t think you’ve played well, it helps to go home to your kids – just to see them smiling and joking definitely helps me. 

‘It makes you feel like there’s more to life than football.’