Former Manchester City forward Liam Delap could be about to make the move to their biggest rivals, although he will not be the first to do so.
Playing for two rival teams is a decision that comes with great cost, as the legacy that a player once worked so hard to build will crumble almost instantly.
He may not have built much of a legacy at Manchester City after just two first team appearances, but with Liam Delap’s move to Manchester United getting closer, he will join an exclusive list of players to have represented both clubs.
#MUFC hold face-to-face talks with Liam Delap, granted permission by Ipswich.
Delap to discuss transfer with all suitors, including Chelsea, before making call.
United also advancing move for Matheus Cunha. Release clause payable in three instalments ⬇️https://t.co/JGuEE7M5Qp
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) May 19, 2025
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Here are five of the biggest names to have donned the blue of Man City and the red of Man United.
Carlos Tevez
Argentinian footballer Carlos Tevez pose
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Premier League Stats:
Appearances: 201
Goals: 84
Assists: 36
The most recent of any player to make the switch, Carlos Tevez did not just join Manchester United’s biggest rivals, but he did so directly from the Red Devils.
After two years under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Argentine left for Man City in 2009 in one of the most highly publicised moves of the year.
Despite winning more trophies with Man United, including two Premier Leagues and a Champions League, he ended up playing more games and scoring more goals for Man City, with it safe to say that his legacy at Old Trafford has been tarnished.
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Andy Cole
Man United v Arsenal
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images
Premier League Stats:
Appearances: 414
Goals: 187
Assists: 73
Despite playing for both, Andy Cole is definitely considered a Man United legend, with 93 of his 187 Premier League goals coming in a Red Devils shirt.
After lifting five league titles with United, he moved on to Blackburn Rovers and Fulham before joining Man City in the twilight of his career where he played for just one season.
As the fourth-highest scorer in Premier League history, his legacy at United still lives on despite such a controversial move.
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel
Photo by Ben Radford/Allsport UK/Getty Images
Premier League Stats:
Appearances: 310
Clean Sheets: 128
Goals: 1
Assists: 3
Like Cole, Peter Schmeichel is synonymous with Manchester United and only played for City as his career came to a close.
After 292 appearances and five Premier League titles with United, the Danish ‘keeper moved on to Sporting CP and Aston Villa before retiring at Man City after making just 29 appearances.
Owen Hargreaves
Soccer - Carling Cup Third Round - Manchester City v Birmingham City
Photo by Matthew Ashton/AMA/Corbis via Getty Images
Premier League Stats:
Appearances: 28
Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Like Tevez, Owen Hargreaves left one Manchester club and went straight to the other, although he went the opposite way to the Argentine.
Regular injuries at United meant he struggled for game time and he departed after making just 27 appearances, never managing to hit the levels he was at Bayern Munich.
He had an even worse time at Man City as injuries persisted and he made just one Premier League appearance for them in the 2011/12 season before retiring the same year.
Denis Law
Denis Law
Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Career Stats:
Appearances: 509
Goals: 278
Assists: 54
A proper Manchester United legend, Denis Law was still well-liked at City and has gone down in both clubs’ history.
During his 11 years at Old Trafford, Law netted 221 times in 374 appearances and was known for his role in the ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
In 1974, he moved to City, scoring nine goals in 24 games before hanging up his boots for good.