REUTERS/Phil Noble
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola once revealed which Manchester United player he desperately wanted at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spaniard called time on his Premier League reign of terror this summer, bringing to an end a 10-year dominion that saw the Cityzens win six league titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and an elusive Champions League title as part of their 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.
It was a period that saw United wallow in City's ever-growing shadow, as Guardiola worked with some of the best players on the planet, including Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and, more recently, Erling Haaland and Rodri.
But there was one player on the other side of the Manchester divide that he admitted he would have 'taken tomorrow', claiming that he, rather than Bruno Fernandes, was the Red Devils' best player.
Guardiola Snubbed Fernandes As United's Best Player - He Wanted Him At City
Pep Guardiola
It's hardly up for debate that Bruno Fernandes is United's best player, having recently won the Premier League Player of the Year award for breaking the assists record last term.
But it was one of his teammates that got Guardiola's utmost praise. Ryan Giggs revealed that Marcus Rashford was picked out by the Spaniard as the Red Devils' best player, and someone he desperately wanted to manage at City. He made that revelation on a recent episode of Rio Ferdinand's podcast, recalling the details of a dinner he had with the iconic manager:
EPL_Greatest PL Players
EPL_Greatest PL Players
Rashford came through the ranks at Old Trafford, scoring on his debut in 2016 to go on and cement himself as one of the best Carrington academy graduates, but has gone on to have an inconsistent career on the red side of Manchester.
At his best, he's produced 30-goal seasons but, equally, he's struggled for form and seen his conduct criticised by previous managers.
Marcus Rashford is Back at Old Trafford with a Point to Prove
REUTERS/Jon Super
After loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, he's back at United - and has previously enjoyed stellar moments against City. Before Guardiola arrived, he scored the winner at the Etihad Stadium in a previous derby and, in 2024, he scored a stunning strike from long range, bringing his tally to six goals against City - his second best record against any club.
Those exploits have left a mark on Guardiola and, if his recent rival manager - one of the best in football history - could see his talents, then that might well say more about the likes of Erik ten hag and Ruben Amorim than the England international.
Already under Michael Carrick, the 28-year-old is getting plenty of minutes, though usually from the bench. It will be interesting to see what role he has to play in coming months, especially as Champions League football ramps up.