Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji joined Pep Guardiola’s side earlier this summer but by the Swiss star’s own remarks, his younger self would have been keen on joining the other side of Manchester.
Akanji joined Borussia Dortmund in 2018 and quickly emerged as one of Europe’s most promising prospects but he has struggled with injuries in recent years.
As a result, United were continuously linked with a move for Akanji but a transfer never materialised. Instead, with one year remaining on his contract in Germany, he joined City this summer.
Now, some of his previous statements have been doing the rounds on social media. After joining Dortmund in 2018, he admitted that United was his favourite club and he would like to play for them at some point.
That will not go down well with City supporters and he has now withdrawn that statement, explaining that loyalties in football dwindle after you become a professional.
“I gave this interview shortly after moving to (Borussia) Dortmund,” Akanji told Blick, via Sport Bible, as he tried to explain the quotes.
“I said that I was a fan growing up – but that when you reach a certain level as a player yourself, you are no longer a fan yourself. Because then you play against such clubs.
Of course, after signing for Manchester City, it’s impossible to stand by anything you’ve said previously about wanting to join Manchester United.
