Why Was Rayan Cherki Benched for Phil Foden in the Manchester Derby?

When team sheets dropped at Old Trafford this Saturday, fans did a double-take. Rayan Cherki, fresh off scoring the winner as a sub against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, landed on Manchester City's bench. Meanwhile, Phil Foden, alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva, returned in the Man City lineup vs Man United.

City supporters pointed to Cherki's form, which involves two goals and seven assists this season, as reason enough for a start. Yet Pep Guardiola made the Rayan Cherki Phil Foden swap for three tactical reasons: defensive organisation, ball security and countering Michael Carrick's Manchester United threat.

The "Control" Factor: Risk vs Reward

Guardiola craves control in high-stakes away derbies. Cherki dazzles with high-value chances but risks turnovers via bold dribbles. He's chaos in open games. Foden, by contrast, delivers safe progression, recycling possession patiently before striking. This is why the Rayan Cherki Phil Foden swap in the starting XI makes sense.

Carrick's United thrives on counters, powered by one of the star performers of AFCON Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo. Cherki in center with City full-backs pushed high, could prove fatal.

Pressing Intensity and Defensive Shape

Cherki has boosted his work rate since joining from Lyon in summer 2025, but Foden dominates the counter-press. In the frenzied midfield war of a derby, Foden's 2025/26 stats shine: more successful pressures and recoveries per 90 than Cherki.

Guardiola picked Foden to choke United's build-up and shield Rodri, who risks isolation without a diligent No. 10.

Super Sub And The Experience Factor

Guardiola moulds Cherki into a late-game assassin. His Carabao Cup heroics vs Newcastle proved it, dribbling past weary legs with two-footed flair. Starting Foden lets City wear United down with passing triangles for 60 minutes. Then, unleash Cherki to exploit gaps.

Cherki harbours no love for United, rooted in his Lyon days. "I hated Manchester United beating us I'm a Lyonnais at heart," he once said in an old interview last year. "Now with City, I'm ready to kill them." In this Premier League derby, though, he sits out the Man City lineup vs Man United opener from the bench.

Another key factor: Phil Foden, a Manchester City academy graduate, boasts over a dozen Manchester Derbies under his belt. He masters the fixture's emotional tempo. Cherki, in his debut English season, faces Old Trafford's cauldron for the first time. Historically, Guardiola trusts his “lieutenants” players who know the system blindfolded in high-stakes away games. Foden offers stability; Cherki remains a gamble.