Erling Haaland sent a message of support to Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder scored his first goal for Manchester City.
Phillips was given a rare start in the 3-2 win against Red Star Belgrade, with City’s passage to the knockout stage of the Champions League already confirmed.
Youngsters Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb scored for Pep Guardiola’s side, before Phillips secured the victory from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.
The England international has struggled for game time ever since he left his boyhood club Leeds for City in the summer of 2022, and there has been speculation that he could leave the club in January.
Haaland – who is currently out of action with an injury – was watching the game from home, and posted a picture of Phillips celebrating with a blue heart emoji onto his Instagram story.
It was just the second time this season that Phillips has been named in the starting XI.
Guardiola recently apologised for not picking on the midfielder more often, but has said that he ‘struggles’ to see the 28-year-old in his team.
The likes of Newcastle, Juventus and Manchester United have all recently been linked with a move for the ex-Leeds captain.
Phillips might see a transfer away from the club as a wise decision, as he will be determined to make the Euro 2024 squad at the end of the season.