Troy Deeney has downplayed the actions of Manchester United fans after they chanted about Phil Foden's mum during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Manchester City at Old Trafford.
The England international had a day to forget as City lost ground in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
A section of United fans could be heard singing about Foden's mother, Claire Rowlands, during the contest.
This continued after the game as the 24-year-old walked down the tunnel.
Troy Deeney has downplayed the actions of Manchester United fans after they chanted about Phil Foden's mum during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Manchester City at Old Trafford
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Pep Guardiola has led the criticism of the actions of United fans, with the Spaniard accusing supporters of a 'lack of class'.
Yet Deeney believes the incident has been blown out of proportion, with the former Watford star insisting it's merely 'part of the game'.
“[It is] part of the game, unfortunately,” he said on talkSPORT.
“It is what it is, I’ve heard people say things about my kids, wife… you name it.
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“Look, I take Pep’s point – it is a reflection on society…. everyone's relatively glass houses they like to look out and point and say, ‘you’re rubbish, this and that’.
“But I also think as well, it’s a derby, people are emotional… you talk about someone’s mum so you never want it to be that.
"It's just part of football. This, in my opinion, is a bigger story than it needs to be.
“It’s been made a bigger story because Pep’s brought it to everyone’s attention.
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🚨 OT chanting “Phil Foden… Your MUM is a S***!” 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/RvsXJakc9b
— 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗺’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇵🇹 (@AmorimBalll_) April 6, 2025
“Watching the game, I didn’t hear it. [On] Match of the day we didn’t do anything on it, unfortunately, it’s the ugly side of this football game.
“There’s an old saying many many years ago that Gianfranco Zola told me and it was ‘We’re paid to have no feelings’."
In his post-match press conference, Guardiola didn't mince his words.
The City boss stated: "It's a lack of class.
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"We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football: managers, owners, and football players especially.
"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."
City are now one point behind Chelsea in fifth following the match at Old Trafford.
As for United, they're 13th in the standings - four points behind Brentford.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has condemned fans who aimed chants at Phil Foden's mum following Sunday's draw with Manchester United
PA
City are next in action against Crystal Palace on Saturday (12.30pm).
As for the Red Devils, they're set to face Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday (8pm).
