RODRI helped Manchester City earn bragging rights over rivals United – and broke a Premier League record in the process.

The midfielder played all 90 minutes of the derby, with Phil Foden’s double and Erling Haaland’s late strike cancelling out Marcus Rashford’s opener.

Rodri celebrates victory over Man Utd

Rodri is considered the most important star in Man City today, not Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne. The importance of the Spanish central midfielder was evident from last season, and continues to the present time.

When facing MU, Rodri continued to have an excellent match, almost suffocating his opponent’s resistance in the second half. The defending Premier League champions had an impressive comeback when they were 1-0 down after the first half

Following City’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham in February 2023, Rodri is still unbeaten in club competitions.

He has since made 58 appearances for City without losing.

City lost all three of his home games after the Spaniard was sent off against Nottingham Forest in September.

But when he is on the pitch, it is a different story.

City’s 1-0 win against Bournemouth last weekend saw Rodri draw level with ex-Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho on 58 games without defeat.

The former Portugal centre-back set that record between November 2006 and February 2008, over 16 years ago.

But now it has been broken by Rodri, who extended his unbeaten run of appearances to 59 following victory in the Manchester derby.

Despite Rodri’s record-breaking feat the praise rightly went to team-mate Foden.

United legend Gary Neville said: “Sometimes derby matches can be emotional passionate affairs especially for local players who have come through the academy and it means a lot to.

“He’s as cool as ice, Phil Foden. He’s such a special talent. He’s here to stay. He’s such a wonderful player.”