Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden were Manchester City teammates, had awkward handshake moment but Man United star is now struggling while England pal thrives under Pep Guardiola

Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden once shared a pitch at Manchester City but now their careers have gone into opposite directions.

Sancho, now at Manchester United, starred in City’s academy before he left to join Borussia Dortmund in 2017 but has struggled since returning to England, whilst Foden has become a key member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

As they prepare to meet as opponents in the Manchester derby this weekend, live on talkSPORT, Sancho and Foden have had unique paths that have taken them to where they are today.

From their days in the academy to being part of the same squad in Euro 2020, these two have had remarkable careers in a short space of time.

At the academy, Sancho and Foden shared many successful moments together.

In the 2016/17, they linked up on several occasions and between the two of them contributed to 23 goals and 10 assists in 34 U18 Premier League games.

The highlight of that season, though came during their time in India at the U17 World Cup where they starred in England’s success as they helped beat Spain 5-2 in the final.

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And Sancho’s big game mentality was evident during what appeared to be one frosty moment.

In a UEFA Youth League match against Atletico Madrid, Sancho was being substituted and as he came off, Foden – his replacement – attempted to shake his hand.

However, the former showed his disgruntlement at being removed and refused the gesture much to his teammate’s apparent dismay.

There was no animosity, however. It appeared it was simply Sancho knowing he was one of City’s biggest stars and was on the verge of breaking into the first team.

And that self belief meant he could not wait for his chance, leading to his move to Germany at the age of 17, with Dortmund paying £8m for him.

In four years at the Signal Iduna Park, Sancho lit up the league with a series of dazzling performances coupled with lots of goals and assists.

After flirting with a move to Manchester United for a couple of seasons, a deal was finally completed in the 2021 summer transfer window that saw him return to Manchester but in a red shirt.

Meanwhile, in those four years when Sancho was developing his craft in Germany, Foden waited patiently for his opportunity under Guardiola at City.

Initially he was a bit part player but in the last two seasons has flourished under the Spaniard’s tutelage and has now become one of the first names on the City team sheet.

With five goals and four assists in 12 games this season, Foden is just growing from strength to strength.

Since their days in the academy things have changed drastically for both.

Having been in the same squad at Euro 2020 and going into the tournament in excellent form, Sancho has struggled since his return to England.

So much so, he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of November’s matches.

Since unfortunately missing his penalty against Italy in the final and being consoled by his former Man City team mate Foden, things have not gone swimmingly for the Red Devils winger.

Foden on the other hand is reportedly set to sign a new six-year contract at his boyhood club.

From sharing the pitch together and winning for England they now find themselve on opposite sides of the Manchester rivalry.

Having been angered at his substitution, several years ago, it looks almost certain Sancho will be taking his place on the bench at Old Trafford in one of his club’s biggest games of the season.

Manchester United vs Manchester City is live on talkSPORT at 12:30pm on Saturday 6 November