What Happened to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Only Man City Signing From 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson's disdain for Manchester City can be summed up by infamously dressing down of at Ruud van Nistelrooy for bringing a sky blue shirt into the dressing room.

United had just been beaten 3-1 by their rivals in the final derby at Maine Road in 2002, with Shaun Goater bagging a brace.

Van Nistelrooy caused huge controversy after the loss and was destroyed by Ferguson, who fumed and said, "If I ever see any of you walking with a City shirt ever again you'll never play for this club.".

But despite that stance, Ferguson did sign a player from United's "noisy neighbours" back in 2012.

Frederic Veseli joined City's academy from Swiss side Lausanne-Sport in 2008 and played in the club's reserve side. He was on the cusp of a first-team appearance, with a torn hamstring denying him his debut on the last game of the 2010/11 campaign.

Veseli joined City's academy in 2008. Image: Getty

After City reportedly refused his contract demands, his time at the Etihad came to an end on 31 January 2012 when Veseli completed a shock move to the red side of Manchester on a free transfer.

Rene Meulensteen, a respected coach of Ferguson's, is believed to have played a key role in the rare transfer - while the Scot himself made quite the impression.

"When Sir Alex spoke to him, it really impressed him," Veseli's former agent Adam Bouskouchi said.

"He is a person who is hard to say no to and his record was enough for Freddie to think that the decision to join United was the right one."

Veseli hoped to kick on his career in England and helped United's Under 21's Barclays U21 Elite Group trophy.

But as was the case at City, he failed to make the grade in the first-team at United and did not make a senior appearance before he was released in July 2013.

Veseli also failed to make a first-team appearance for United. Image: Getty

Veseli continued his English adventure with Ipswich Town, Bury and Port Vale before returning to Switzerland with Lugano.

He's also played in France and Turkey with Le Mans and Fatih Karagumruk, as well as turning out in Italy's top two divisions with the likes of Empoli, Salernitana, Benevento and current club Suditrol.

The 32-year-old also had a brief spell in Albania, the birth place of his parents, and has played 44 times for his country - including at Euro 2016 when he came on as a late substitute against eventual finalists France.