Manchester City hardly need any further bragging rights over Manchester United at the moment.
The Citizens currently sit fifth with four Premier League titles in the last five seasons, whereas the Red Devils are tenth and without a league title since 2013.
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To add insult to injury for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim, those at Old Trafford missed out on a genuine wonderkid to Manchester City back in June who is now thriving in Mahamadou Sangare.
Manchester City might already have the new Erling Haaland as Mahamadou Sangare displays ruthless finishing skills
Erling Haaland has been so reliable for Pep Guardiola that even a top talent in Julian Alvarez was allowed to leave for Atletico Madrid in August 2024.
However, the precocious 18-year-old Sangare looks capable of becoming a genuine threat to the Norwegian in a few years if he maintains his current level.
The France U18 international – who snubbed Manchester United to sign for Manchester City after his deal with PSG expired in June – has already scored seven goals in eight appearances for the Citizens in the youth ranks, also providing two assists.
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for TBR Football – confirmed at the time that Manchester United were also keen to sign Sangare, so those on the recruitment team at Old Trafford will surely be devastated to see the teenager thriving at Manchester City instead.
Mahamadou Sangare's fourth goal of the week has us ahead in the #PL2 🙌
Watch the second-half LIVE on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 5, 2025
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Before moving to England, the Mali-born sensation had incredibly scored 42 goals in 46 games across various age levels, so Manchester City fans should be very excited about his potential.
Brandon Barker shows what can happen if potential goes to waste
Impressing at youth level is not enough, and Sangare must learn from the downfall of Brandon Barker if he is to become a success at the Etihad Stadium – where Gianluigi Donnarumma has also arrived from PSG.
Barker was once the crown jewel of the City Football Academy, with Trent Alexander-Arnold even naming the winger as his toughest opponent once upon a time.
The Real Madrid No.12 said back in 2023: “I would say Brandon Barker, played for City. I was 18, playing for the Under-21s, first-ever time at Anfield, got beat 3-0. He scored two and got an assist. I came off at 60 (minutes). Still to this day, he’s the opponent I think that just destroyed me, man. I’ve never had it like that before.
“At that point, I’m thinking, this kid is going to be the best player in the world because I’d never seen someone move so quickly and sharp and effectively.”
Now, however, Barker was just selected as the last pick (48th) in the Baller League draft, a six-a-side competition overseen by YouTuber KSI.
It just goes to show that not every precocious talent ends up making it at the highest level.