Playmaker Phil Foden is writing his place within the Manchester Metropolis historical past books - however his profession might have gone in a very totally different path with a transfer to Aberdeen.
Instances have quickly modified for the England cap since a transfer to Pittodrie was on the playing cards and he joined Erling Haaland in netting a hat-trick in the course of the 6-3 demolition of Manchester United on derby day. He has loved a outstanding rise in below Pep Guardiola as Foden's second objective simply earlier than half-time took his Metropolis objective tally to 50, all of which have been scored below the tutelage of the previous Barcelona gaffer - however he might have picked up some data working below Derek McInnes within the Granite Metropolis.
Aged 18, Foden was assessing his choices of a mortgage transfer away from the Etihad Stadium to ramp up his recreation time with golf equipment lining up from the English decrease leagues, in addition to Aberdeen launching an formidable bid to land the Manchester Metropolis starlet. In the summertime of 2018 golf equipment have been determined to snap up the prospect, who've turn into the youngest English participant to play within the Champions League within the earlier season.
Nonetheless, the transfer to the Scottish Premiership did not materialise with Foden opting to stay it out at Metropolis reasonably than depart on mortgage. And he has clearly been rewarded with the boyhood Metropolis fan writing his identify within the annals of membership historical past along with his derby day hat-trick.
Sam Cosgrove would have seemed to type a formidable partnership with Foden had the deal gone by means of, with the Dons ending fourth in the course of the 2018-19 marketing campaign. The membership additionally completed as runners-up within the League Cup, with Ryan Christie securing the trophy for Celtic.
READ NEXT