Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney reckons Phil Foden’s Carabao Cup appearance felt like a charity substitution. Foden hasn’t been in the best of form in the ongoing season and has failed to feature regularly in the playing XI for the Cityzens.

The Sky Blues registered a 2-0 win against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on Sunday after Nico O’Reilly scored a brace in the second half. Foden was brought in the final minute of the game by head coach Pep Guardiola.

Rooney said he felt ‘sad’ for the England international after he was introduced late in the game.

“I felt sad for him but not sad because he is coming on in a cup final,” Rooney said.

“There was a game a few days ago when he didn’t even get on the pitch. If that was Max Dowman coming on at the end, you would think good experience. But to see Phil Foden coming on in a cup final, it felt like a charity sub to get him on the pitch.

“I don’t know what has happened. He is a top player. It feels strange that he can’t get anywhere near the team. It feels like something has gone on there.

“I thought Foden was in good form, but all of a sudden, we haven’t seen him get any minutes. Firstly, he will be pleased they won the cup, but from a selfish point of view, he would have wanted to be out there and have an influence. That will be a tough one for him.”

Manchester City will next take on Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on April 4th at the Etihad Stadium.