Phil Foden is determined to be a central figure for Manchester City in more ways than one.

The England international scored twice as City swept aside Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town in a 5-0 FA Cup victory on Sunday afternoon. The 23-year-old has been in fine form in recent weeks playing in a more central role during Kevin de Bruyne’s absence.

But the Belgian made his comeback from injury off the bench against the Terriers and caught the eye in the closing stages. De Bruyne’s return gives boss Pep Guardiola a selection poser with Jeremy Doku also returning against Huddersfield and striker Erling Haaland not far away from full fitness. It could see Foden moved to a wide role but he will hope his recent showings can convince his manager otherwise.

“I’m enjoying my football at the moment,” he said, speaking to the BBC after the cup win. “Being in the pockets and in between the lines. It’s where I want to be, I need to keep helping the team with goals and assists and be that decisive player. I’m trying to do that every game.”

City took half an hour to find a way past a resolute Huddersfield at the Etihad on Sunday but once they scored the opener through Foden the result was never in doubt. And the City man praised the way the Blues went about their business.

“We’re all buzzing with result,” he added. “It was a bit difficult to break them down. The first goal I scored was important, then we had more rhythm and we took our chances well.

“Delighted with he result, not an easy sided when they give everything to beat us but I thought the way we handled ourselves, didn’t get impatient, carried on playing our football – we’re delighted with the result.

“The team handles it well. We seem to come against a low block quite often. We know what to expect, we just need to be patient, find the spaces and keep switching and hopefully they’ll open up and get tired. We attacked at the right time and aggressively so it’s a great result.”