Special treatment? He’s never had any - pre-lockdown he generally sat on bench behind David Silva who’s legs said adios circa 2018, and Bernard the loveable Ewok, who’s best performances over the past 12 months have come on Twitter - in the hierarchy. He finally gets a chance, proves to have eclipsed both in terms of dynamism and goal threat, yet doesn’t even come off the bench when it’s glaringly obvious we were desperate those aforementioned attributes in a such a decisive game.
Louis Van Gaal had a policy of keeping the depth of senior players in a squad to a minimum, leaving a void for young players to fill - a policy which facilitated the careers of numerous European greats of the past 25 years (plus Marcus Rashford) - many of whom piggybacked Pep to most of his successes.
Foden has the same talent and potential as those players, but without the opportunity and circa 100 starts over the next 3 season will not reach the same levels - he’s already behind most elite players at the same age.
If you don’t want him to be prioritised ahead of the less talented, imported signings, then you ain’t blue.