Phil Foden is expected to feature for Manchester City against Bodø/Glimt on Tuesday, despite suffering a broken hand, as Pep Guardiola shifts attention to the Champions League in the aftermath of a damaging Manchester derby defeat.
The England forward was withdrawn at half-time of Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United after landing awkwardly on his arm. However, Guardiola confirmed the injury will not prevent Foden from playing in City’s group-stage fixture in Norway.
“He has a little bit of broken bones, but he has protection and he is fine for tomorrow,” Guardiola said on Monday.
Guardiola also rejected the idea of resting Erling Haaland, despite the striker failing to score from open play in his last seven matches. The Norway international, who returns to his homeland for the tie, remains central to City’s plans.
“He told me he slept unbelievably, so he is fit,” Guardiola said. “He has scored 39 goals this season for club and country.”
City’s defeat at Old Trafford extended their winless Premier League run to four matches, allowing Arsenal to open up a seven-point lead at the top. Guardiola, however, has deliberately postponed a full review of the derby loss in order to prioritise European qualification.
City currently sit fourth in their Champions League group, with the top eight advancing directly to the last 16, while teams placed ninth to 24th face a play-off round.
“Coming here, we didn’t talk one word about United,” Guardiola said. “That is for before Wolves. Now it’s another competition.
“We have the chance to qualify in the top eight. That is enough to focus on, not what happened in the past.”
Guardiola acknowledged United’s superiority on the day but stressed the need to move on quickly.
“I didn’t review the game, but I know United were better. When they are better, you congratulate them, improve and move on.”
In a break from routine, City trained at Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø’s 8,500-capacity ground, rather than in Manchester before travelling. The decision was influenced by sub-zero temperatures and the artificial playing surface.
“They have to see how the ball bounces—short passes, long passes, this kind of stuff,” Guardiola explained. “Life is never a red carpet. The quicker you adapt in uncomfortable situations, the closer you are to success.
“If I start to complain about these situations, you don’t achieve what we achieved in the past.”
Despite the competitive stakes, Guardiola struck a relaxed tone, even expressing enthusiasm about the setting.
“We have big windows in the hotel and we’ll look at the Northern Lights,” he said. “Why not? I’m focused on my job, but why shouldn’t I enjoy the beauty of the universe?”
As City seek to stabilise their season on the European stage, Foden’s willingness to play through injury and Guardiola’s emphasis on adaptability underline a determined attempt to reset momentum far from domestic concerns.
