In a move that has sent shockwaves across English football, Manchester City are reportedly preparing to make one of the most unexpected transfer approaches in modern Premier League history. According to reports, Pep Guardiola has given his approval for City to attempt to sign Manchester United’s young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, a move that would mark the first direct transfer between the two Manchester clubs this century. The story has shaken the football world, not just because of the name involved, but because of what it represents — a potential crossing of one of the fiercest divides in world football.
For decades, transfers between Manchester United and Manchester City have been almost impossible. The rivalry between the two clubs, rooted deeply in local pride, history, and competition, makes it one of the most emotionally charged derbies in football. Very few players have dared to move directly from one side of Manchester to the other, and even fewer have done it for a transfer fee. The last player to do so was Terry Cooke, who left United for City back in 1999. That transfer, over two decades ago, is still remembered because of how rare and controversial it was at the time.
Cooke, a talented winger who came through the Manchester United academy, had already spent time on loan at City before the permanent move was sealed. Even then, it raised eyebrows. Since then, both clubs have grown into global powerhouses — United, with their rich history and worldwide fanbase, and City, with their rise to dominance under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership and Guardiola’s genius. But never again did a direct transfer take place. Until now, that door might just be opening again.
Reports say Pep Guardiola has identified Kobbie Mainoo as one of the most talented young English midfielders in the Premier League, someone who fits perfectly into the kind of football City play. Mainoo, still only 20, has found himself frustrated at Manchester United this season. Despite his high potential and strong showings in the past, he has not started a single Premier League game this term. The youngster was reportedly eager to go out on loan before the summer transfer window closed, hoping to get regular playing time elsewhere. But Manchester United’s hierarchy rejected the idea, insisting they wanted to keep him at Old Trafford.
That decision, however, seems to have left Mainoo in a difficult position. He is too talented to sit on the bench week after week, yet he does not appear to be a key part of Erik ten Hag’s immediate plans. And that is where Manchester City come in. Guardiola, always alert to opportunities in the market, has apparently been following Mainoo closely. TEAMtalk reported that City are considering a shock move for the midfielder, something that could make history if it actually happens.
For Guardiola, Mainoo’s playing style is exactly what he looks for in a midfielder. Calm on the ball, able to dictate tempo, and intelligent in positioning, Mainoo plays with maturity beyond his years. Guardiola reportedly believes that Mainoo’s ability to operate under pressure and his comfort in tight spaces make him a natural fit for City’s high-possession, high-pressing system. City’s midfield is already filled with world-class talent — players like Rodri, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic, and Matheus Nunes — but Guardiola has always liked developing young English players who understand the rhythm of Premier League football.
However, such a move would be nothing short of explosive. The rivalry between the two Manchester clubs is fierce, and any player making that switch would be under immense scrutiny. Fans would debate it endlessly, the media would dissect every angle, and social media would erupt in chaos. For a player as young as Mainoo, it would take enormous mental strength to handle the pressure that comes with being the first to cross the Manchester divide in over twenty years.
City’s interest in Mainoo does not come out of nowhere. Guardiola has always admired young English talents. Over the years, he has helped develop players like Foden and Rico Lewis into stars. He sees potential in footballers who are technically gifted and tactically disciplined, and Mainoo fits that description perfectly. In many ways, the Manchester United youngster plays in a manner that Guardiola appreciates — not flashy, but smart, calm, and controlled.
Yet even with Guardiola’s approval, making such a transfer happen would be an enormous challenge. Manchester United would be deeply reluctant to sell one of their brightest young academy graduates to their city rivals. The fans would not forgive it easily. The atmosphere between the two clubs could turn even colder. United’s management would face heavy criticism if they even entertained the idea. But football, as history shows, can be unpredictable.
It is not the first time a player has crossed the Manchester divide, although the number is extremely small. In the 1990s, goalkeeper Tony Coton made the move from Manchester City to Manchester United. He joined United in 1996 but never made a Premier League appearance, spending most of his time as a backup to Peter Schmeichel before leaving for Sunderland. His move was low profile and short-lived, and few remember it today. But for those who do, it remains a reminder of how rare such transfers are.
Even before Coton, there were a few others who played for both sides at different points in their careers. John Gidman, a right-back from Liverpool, played for both United and City during his career. And then, of course, there is the legendary Denis Law. The Scottish striker remains the most iconic name to have represented both Manchester clubs. Law’s story is unique and emotional — after years of success with Manchester United, he later joined City and famously scored a backheel goal against United that contributed to their relegation in 1974. That moment has lived forever in football folklore, symbolizing the complex emotions that come with this rivalry.
In more recent memory, the name Carlos Tevez stands out. The Argentine striker became the face of one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history. Tevez spent two seasons on loan at Manchester United, winning the Premier League and the Champions League. But when United decided not to make his loan deal permanent, City swooped in. In 2009, Tevez signed for Manchester City in a move that sent shockwaves through the football world. City even launched a massive “Welcome to Manchester” billboard featuring Tevez’s face, sparking outrage among United supporters.
However, Tevez’s case was technically different. Because his contract situation was complicated — he was owned by a third party and registered under West Ham United — the move was not considered a direct transfer between the two Manchester clubs. Still, the impact of his switch was enormous. Tevez went on to play more than 100 Premier League matches for City, scoring crucial goals and becoming a symbol of the club’s new era of ambition and power. The drama, the anger, the emotion — it all made Tevez’s move unforgettable.
Now, if Kobbie Mainoo were to make the jump from United to City, it would be even more shocking than Tevez’s switch. This would not just be a player changing clubs — it would be a generational moment, a statement that City’s dominance in English football has reached a point where they can even lure talent from their greatest rivals. It would show how far City have come since the late 1990s, when they were the smaller club in Manchester, fighting to survive in the shadow of United’s glory. Today, that shadow has shifted. City are the reigning kings of English football, winning titles and Champions Leagues under Guardiola, while United continue to rebuild.
For Mainoo, though, it is not just about rivalry or history. It is about his career. Every young footballer dreams of playing regularly, improving, and being trusted on the pitch. Sitting on the bench week after week can drain confidence, especially for a player who knows he has the ability to make an impact. Sources close to the player have hinted that Mainoo’s frustration has been building for months. The young midfielder wants to play, and if opportunities do not come at United, he might be tempted to look elsewhere — even across the city.
Chelsea and Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in signing Mainoo. Both clubs are watching his situation closely. Chelsea see him as a future England international, someone who could add balance to their midfield. Newcastle view him as a long-term investment, fitting their new strategy of signing young, homegrown talents with Premier League experience. But neither club could offer Mainoo what City can — the chance to learn under one of the greatest managers in football history, and the opportunity to play in one of the best teams in the world.
Still, Guardiola would face a unique challenge if he does manage to sign Mainoo. City’s midfield is already overflowing with world-class options, and fitting in another player — especially a young one — would require patience, careful rotation, and trust. But Guardiola has shown before that he can develop young players into stars even in squads filled with established names. Phil Foden, for example, waited patiently for years before becoming a starter, and now he is one of Europe’s most dangerous attackers. Rico Lewis, another academy graduate, has also become a key part of Guardiola’s tactical plans. Mainoo could follow a similar path — learning, adapting, and eventually shining.
The idea of Mainoo wearing the sky-blue shirt of Manchester City feels almost impossible right now, but in football, impossible stories often become reality. The Premier League is full of shocking twists, and this could be the next one. If City truly push for the move, it would send a powerful message not only to Manchester United but to the entire football world — that no boundary is too sacred, no rivalry too strong, when it comes to building the perfect team.
For United fans, though, the thought of losing Mainoo to City would be painful. Mainoo represents the kind of homegrown talent they pride themselves on producing. Letting him go, especially to their greatest rivals, would be seen as a failure of vision and trust. It would deepen the frustration already felt by supporters who believe the club has lost its way since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. The emotional fallout from such a transfer would be enormous, perhaps even greater than the Tevez episode.
As the story continues to develop, all eyes will be on both clubs. Will Manchester City truly make a formal bid? Will Manchester United resist no matter the price? And what will Mainoo himself decide if an offer actually arrives? The young midfielder holds the key to one of the most extraordinary stories English football could see this decade.
For now, it remains only a possibility — a rumour that has stirred memories of Cooke, Law, Coton, and Tevez, names that remind everyone of how deep the Manchester rivalry runs. But beneath the noise, there is a sense that football might be about to witness history repeating itself in a new and shocking way. Pep Guardiola has never been afraid to break traditions, and if he believes Mainoo is the player who can strengthen his team, even the most sacred line in Manchester football might not be enough to stop him.
Whatever happens next, one thing is clear — this is not just about one player. It is about power, pride, and the ever-shifting balance between two football giants who share a city but will never share peace. If Kobbie Mainoo walks through the doors of the Etihad Stadium wearing blue, it will not just be a transfer — it will be a statement that the football map of Manchester has changed forever.
