Pep Guardiola once identified Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as a player he desperately wanted to sign for Manchester City. The revelation comes from former United winger Ryan Giggs, who recalled a private conversation with the then-City manager about eight or nine years ago.
Manchester City currently sit top of the Premier League table with a perfect record of three wins from three games, scoring seven goals and conceding just two. Their next challenge is a highly anticipated away fixture against Manchester United on September 13th, a match that will be played without the sidelined Jérémy Doku and Nico O'Reilly. You can view the full upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
What did Pep Guardiola say about Marcus Rashford?
Ryan Giggs detailed the exchange during a dinner where he was seated next to Guardiola. "He went, well, who do you think? So I went, De Gea? He went, no. Luke Shaw? I was just like, no," Giggs recounted. "He said the best player at Man United, Marcus Rashford. I would take him tomorrow." This frank admission highlights the high regard Guardiola held for the England international, even during a period when Rashford's form has been inconsistent at Old Trafford. The striker, who came through United's academy and scored on his debut in 2016, has proven a persistent thorn in City's side, netting seven career goals against them.
Why was a transfer never likely?
Despite Guardiola's clear admiration, a direct transfer between the two Manchester giants was always improbable. Premier League clubs, especially those competing at the very top, rarely engage in significant player trades with their direct rivals. The last major move between United and City was the controversial switch of Carlos Tevez in 2009, which caused a major stir. Guardiola's recruitment strategy at City, which was fundamental to his decade of success, largely focused on bringing in talent from overseas markets rather than raiding domestic competitors.
How does Rashford perform against Manchester City?
Marcus Rashford's record against City is a strong one, making Guardiola's interest understandable. His seven goals against the Sky Blues represent his second-best tally against any single club. He scored the winner at the Etihad Stadium before Guardiola's arrival and added a stunning long-range strike in a 2024 meeting. At his peak, Rashford has delivered 30-goal seasons for United, demonstrating the world-class potential that caught Guardiola's eye.
What is the current context for both clubs?
The story emerges as City prepare to face United in the Premier League. Guardiola ended his historic ten-year tenure at the club this summer, leaving behind a squad that continues to set the pace. United, meanwhile, find themselves in 11th place early in the season. The rivalry remains fierce, as evidenced by both clubs' reported interest in Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson this summer. The player ultimately chose a £116 million move to the Etihad, snubbing Giggs's attempts to persuade him to join United. Fans can track the evolving league positions on our standings page and check the latest squad availability via our injuries list.
The two sides meet at Old Trafford on September 13th, 2026.
