Pep Guardiola told Ryan Giggs privately that Marcus Rashford was Manchester United’s best player and that he would have signed him for Manchester City in a heartbeat, according to reports.
Antoine Semenyo has been a superstar on the wings for Manchester City since joining from Bournemouth in January.
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Rashford broke through the ranks at Old Trafford and was deemed England’s next best talent after he scored on his debut in 2016 and continued to shine brighter week by week.
However, in recent years, the winger has struggled to perform well under a conveyor belt of managers at United and has spent time away from the club on two separate occasions.
In February last year, Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season and was admired by many supporters throughout his 17 appearances, in which he scored four goals and provided six assists.
Manchester United have written a clause into Marcus Rashford's contract that rules out both Manchester City and Liverpool from triggering his £40 million release fee, as per a new update.cityxtra.co.ukMan United exclude Man City from forward's £40M release clause as summer exit looms
Manchester United have written a clause into Marcus Rashford's contract that rules out both Manchester City and Liverpool from triggering his £40 million release fee, as per a new update.
Guardiola Sang Rashford Praises at Dinner Attended by Giggs
Following his spell at Villa and towards the end of July last year, Rashford was on the move again and joined Barcelona on a season-long loan, where he made 49 appearances and restored an old, almost-lost confidence to bring back to Manchester.
During Guardiola’s decade at the Etihad Stadium, where he won 20 major trophies and reshaped how English football is perceived and played, he barely struck an interest with United players, most likely due to the rivalry that continues to divide Manchester on the pitch.
However, according to the Mirror, Rashford’s expanding talent left a mark on Guardiola, so much so that during a dinner where Giggs was present, the former City boss admitted he’d sign him immediately if given the chance.
So far in the 2026/27 campaign, Michael Carrick has played Rashford in all three Premier League outings against Everton, Ipswich and Hull City, but the England international was an unused substitute against Sabah FK in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday.
The question on every Manchester City fan's lips surely?cityxtra.co.ukShould Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez Start Together in Midfield Against Man United? - Community Post
The question on every Manchester City fan's lips surely?
Will Rashford Ignite the Manchester Derby on Sunday?
Likely, Carrick’s reason for leaving Rashford out of the UEFA Champions League starting line-up came from plans for the Manchester derby, where the 28-year-old could start in attack alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Rashford scored the winner in the final derby before Guardiola arrived at the club, and in 2024 scored a stunning strike from long range to take his tally to seven goals against City - his second-best record against any side.
Still, Maresca is finding ease in following in Guardiola’s footsteps but must look to pull off more convincing results in the future, as his side becomes more familiar with the Italian’s demands.
Rashford will need to overcome the physical and technical dominance of either Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson or Ayyoub Bouaddi in the midfield - as all three look set to take part in their first Manchester derby.