Seven players who were linked with Man City but chose to join rivals Man Utd
Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Fred are both celebrating their 28th birthday today, so we decided to look at how different things could have been for the duo.
Unfortunately, they will have to temper their birthday festivities as they have a tumultuous away clash with Manchester City on the horizon.
As well as birthdays, Maguire and Fred also share a similar story in which both stars allegedly rejected the advances of the reigning champions, opting to join United instead.
Jose Mourinho beat the Citizens to the £53m signature of Fred, while United managed to sway Maguire over to United in an £85m deal.
But as Ralf Rangnick’s side travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Pep Guardiola technicians at in a match neither side can afford to lose, Mirror Football takes a look at seven United players who snubbed City to walk through the doors of Old Trafford.
Robin van Persie
In an almost unique set of affairs, the Premier League title race almost hinged on which club could sign Robin van Persie.
The then Arsenal captain was fresh off a 30 goal season for the Gunners where he was simply irresistible.
While Juventus were also believed to be interested in the Dutchman, his services were well and truly a two horse race between the Manchester sides.
Eventually, Sir Alex Ferguson managed to coerce the predatory forward to United and his 26 Premier League goals inspired United to what turned out to be Fergusons, and United’s last title.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Would Manchester City be better off if any of these player chose to sign for them instead? Let us know in the comments
United’s work appeared to be done when Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho’s arrivals were wrapped up before August.
However, United transfer chiefs and executives were suddenly sent scuttling as news broke that Cristiano Ronaldo was on his way to Manchester City.
But a few phone calls from Ferguson and a flustered and bemused Rio Ferdinand later, Ronaldo found the home calling from Old Trafford too hard to resist and sealed an emotional return to the Reds.
Paul Pogba
After Paul Pogba played an inspirational role in Juventus’ run to the 2015 Champions League final, he became one of the most sought-after players in the world.
And his performances were too hard to ignore in Manchester, as both City and United competed for his services.
Even Yaya Toure could not persuade Pogba from returning to his old stomping ground, as the Frenchman opted to return to United for a then-world record £89m transfer fee.
Dimitar Berbatov
Elegance and class are among the first two words that come to mind when we reflect upon Dimitar Berbatov.
However, the Bulgarian striker abandoned all pleasantries by reportedly telling his agent to “f*** off” when he pitched a purported offer to join Manchester City over United.
“I said ‘f*** off’, we’re going to Man United,” Berbatov cited in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine.
Alexis Sanchez
Similarly, to van Persie, Alexis Sanchez’s signature was expected to be the tipping point in who won the league between United and City.
And with the help of Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving to Arsenal in the other direction and a willingness to give Sanchez to £14m per year wages he was demanding, Sanchez pitched up at Old Trafford in the 2018 January transfer window.
Unfortunately, his arrival did not have the desired effect, as City went on to win the title by an astronomical 19 points.
Bruno Fernandes
Over the last few years, City have been able to count themselves lucky that United had beaten them to certain players.
However, Bruno Fernandes has been nothing short of exceptional since he completed his £47m move to United in the 2020 January transfer window.
Interestingly, preceding reports from the Guardian claimed City were the favourites to sign the Portuguese ace and were expected ‘to conclude the deal in the next few weeks’.
But a move did not materialise, and Fernandes is now starring for the Reds on a regular basis.
Alex Telles
After a limp title defence in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, a squad refresh was on the horizon at the Etihad Stadium.
And Portuguese outlet, via Sport Witness, Correio da Manha claimed City wanted to bring Alex Telles in from Porto.
But it was the Reds who managed to wrap up his signature in a £14m deal.
Telles fell behind Luke Shaw in the pecking order, but has had more regular appearances since Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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