'We are not on the right path' - Pep Guardiola slams 'crazy world' after Jack Grealish slapped & Phil Foden's mum targeted by abusive chants in Man City's draw at Man Utd

A fan was arrested for slapping Jack Grealish during the 0-0 draw last Sunday and has been banned by United. Phil Foden was also subjected to abusive chants about his mother during the derby, prompting Guardiola to say "they should be ashamed of themselves" last week. And ahead of City's next game against Crystal Palace the coach admitted he was worried about the way the world is heading, in particular people forgetting how to behave properly.

The City boss told a press conference: "It's happening everywhere. It's a crazy world, right? Everything that happens all around the world, not just in sport, the issues. Nobody is away from that. It's not about United, because United is beyond the person that doesn't defend what United is, or what happens sometimes in our club. But it's not a problem about a specific club, a specific department in world football, it happens everywhere. Just take a look around and you'll realise that. I think we are not on the right path."

Guardiola said Foden was still feeling sore after the chanting against his mum at Old Trafford. "He doesn't feel good but [let's] move forward," said the City coach.

Guardiola singled Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton out for praise ahead of Saturday's game against the in-form Eagles, who have won six out of seven games in all competitions while remaining unbeaten. "An excellent holding midfielder. With the previous manager he was in the [England] national team already. The impact has been really good coming from the Championship to the Premier League. Brilliant left-foot, really good player," he said.

Saturday's game is important for City's hopes of finishing in the top five and qualifying for the Champions League after they dropped down to sixth last week, below Newcastle United. And Guardiola believes the race to finish in the top five will go down to the wire. He added: "Well, it's better to have five teams instead of four, for the situation that we have. But there are seven or eight contenders, so it will be until the last moment. We don't have the squad all season; three central defenders out, the best striker out until the last one or two games. We don't have the squad."