Dylan Oakley Sep 18th 2025
Man City are reportedly interested in signing a Man United player in January, according to recent reports.
Ruben Amorim is under considerable pressure to turn things around at Man United. He is looking ahead to a tough weekend fixture, which will see his side welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Man United are looking for what would be just their second win of the season, after they lost 3-0 to rivals Manchester City last weekend. One of the biggest areas of weakness so far is in Man United’s midfield.
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro have struggled, and Amorim still seems reluctant to play Kobbie Mainoo, prompting the 20-year-old to ask to leave the club. Amid the reports that Mainoo wants to leave, several clubs have been linked to him.
Newcastle are reportedly very keen to sign Mainoo as Eddie Howe is a big fan, but TeamTalk are now reporting that Man City are plotting a shock move to sign one of their rivals’ most promising players.
Man United could swap Mainoo for Gonzalez
Seeing as Mainoo wants to leave, Man City may be able to persuade the 20-year-old to leave his boyhood club for their rivals, and move to the Etihad. Man United would reportedly want around £70m for his signature.
But instead of just taking the money, an intriguing swap deal could emerge, as Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez has been linked with a move away as he’s not getting regular game time under Pep Guardiola.
Man City could offer Man United Gonzalez to help solve United’s poor midfield issue, whilst Mainoo gets his move away, and City land their target. It would be a strange parallel universe where United and City are nice to each other briefly, but the swap could seriously work for all parties involved.
Gonzalez is estimated to be worth around £35m, so Man United could demand a swap involving Gonzalez and £35m, which they could use to either buy a second midfielder, or strengthen in other areas.
Click here to see Man United’s first team squad ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea.
