Man City Prepared to Sign Man Utd Player in First Direct Transfer This Century

Pep Guardiola has reportedly given his blessing to a rare transfer between the two Manchester clubs.

Manchester City and Manchester United have engaged in very little player trading over the years. In fact, there hasn't been a direct move from one to the other for a transfer fee since Terry Cooke left United and joined City in 1999. Cooke had already been on loan at United's rivals.

Among the other players who've swapped blue for red or vice versa, goalkeeper Tony Coton moved from Maine Road to Old Trafford in 1996.

The veteran stopper never made a Premier League appearance for United as Peter Schmeichel's understudy and moved on to Sunderland six months later.

Now, the City manager has apparently approved the club's pursuit of out-of-favour Red Devils midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

Kobbie Mainoo (Image: Getty)

"The highly-rated youngster is yet to start a Premier League fixture this season, leaving him frustrated. Mainoo was keen to leave on loan before the summer window closed – something the Man Utd hierarchy were unwilling to sanction," reports TEAMtalk.

"Rivals Manchester City are considering a shock move for the 20-year-old.

"Pep Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the game’s finest tacticians, views Mainoo as one of England’s brightest prospects.

"While transfers between Man Utd and Man City are rare, Guardiola’s admiration could make this a situation worth monitoring closely. Mainoo’s ability to dictate play and adapt to high-pressing systems aligns perfectly with City’s philosophy."

Chelsea and Newcastle United are also understood to be tracking Mainoo, whose progress at Old Trafford has stalled.

Finding a way to fit him into City's bulging middle would be a challenge a manager like Guardiola would relish.

Other players who traversed the Manchester divide over the years include Liverpudlian right-back John Gidman and the great Denis Law.

Carlos Tevez spent two years on loan at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)

Of course, there is another recent example of a player dumping one side of Manchester for the other, complete with billboard advertising campaign and derby drama.

But Carlos Tevez's signing for City in 2009 didn't quite meet the criteria of a cross-city coupon-buster.

Revisiting the Tevez saga

Tevez's 'ownership' situation in the Premier League was complicated to say the least.

His two years at Old Trafford were technically a loan deal, meaning that he moved physically between the two but was permanently registered at West Ham United until 2009.

The Argentinian never agreed permanent terms with United, signing a five-year deal at City instead and playing more than 100 league matches for them over the next four years whether he wanted to or not.