Manchester’s history is marked by unforgettable clashes and a rivalry seeded in pride. Somewhere between the chants for United and the cheers from City sit the stories of a rare breed, players who donned both Red and Blue.

These are not simply transfers. Some were controversial, others were quiet, but all carried with them the weight of switching sides in one of the fiercest derbies in sport. They left behind fans divided and legacies complicated.

Beyond the noise and divided opinions remains a shared thread: ambition, reinvention, and the courage to step across enemy lines. Their paths remind soccer of its most human side, where rivalry and destiny often blur together.

Denis Law

The story of the Scottish striker, “The King”, is defined by a deep well of glory at Old Trafford, where he was integral to the Holy Trinity and lifted the 1964 Ballon d’Or and the 1968 European Cup. Denis Law‘s connection to Manchester City was bookended: a brief, record-breaking spell in 1960 and a single final season in 1973-74.

It was in the latter, against his beloved former club, that he sealed his tragic-hero status. In the infamous 1974 derby, a last-gasp backheel goal for City sealed what was believed to be United’s relegation.

He was visibly distraught and later admitted he felt “seldom so depressed,” walking straight off the pitch, unable to celebrate or continue. That single, heartbroken backheel became the definitive, agonizing symbol of the Manchester divide.

Peter Schmeichel

The big Dane’s legacy as one of soccer’s greatest goalkeepers was forged over eight monumental years at Manchester United, where his imposing presence and iconic star-jump save defined the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Peter Schmeichel was the crucial final piece in the 1999 Treble jigsaw.

The very idea of him playing for the opposition was heresy to the Red side, yet Schmeichel returned to the Premier League with Manchester City for the 2002-03 season following spells abroad and at Aston Villa.

His move, though a late-career decision, was deeply controversial. In a bizarre twist of fate, the legendary shot-stopper retired with a bizarre derby record: he never lost a Manchester derby in his career, an achievement that cuts across both club loyalties.

Andy Cole

Andy Cole was a goal-scoring machine during his time at Manchester United, forming one half of the spectacular “Cole and Yorke” strike partnership that terrified defenses during the Treble-winning campaign.

He secured five Premier League titles and the Champions League, making him a true Old Trafford great. His decision to join Manchester City for the 2005-06 season was not marked by the fury of a direct defection. Instead, it was a logical, late-career move following spells at Blackburn and Fulham.

His time at the Etihad was a quieter affair, a chance to briefly reignite his formidable scoring touch under Stuart Pearce, providing a pragmatic contrast to the emotionally charged transfers between the rivals.

Carlos Tevez

No single cross-city transfer has been as aggressively provocative as Carlos Tevez’s move in 2009. His two-year “loan” at Manchester United was highly successful, yielding multiple trophies, but a failure to agree terms led to a bitter, public split.

When he signed for the cash-rich Manchester City, the club immediately seized the opportunity for antagonism. The now-infamous “Welcome to Manchester” billboard appeared in the city centre, a direct, taunting message to their dominant neighbours.

Tevez, fueled by the drama, became an Etihad legend, famously lifting the Golden Boot and a Premier League title, cementing his status as a defiant symbol of City’s rise and United’s irritation.

Andrei Kanchelskis

Andrei Kanchelskis was the Soviet speedster, a blistering right winger fundamental to Sir Alex Ferguson transforming Manchester United into Premier League winners in the early 90s.

His time at Old Trafford was defined by flair and goals, making him an original star of the modern era. After his successful run, and spells at Everton and Fiorentina, his loan move to Manchester City in 2001 was almost a ghost-like appearance.

He played just ten league games for the Sky Blues, a brief sojourn that saw the club struggling and ultimately relegated at the end of that campaign. The contrast between his role as an architect of United’s league titles and his powerless position in a relegated City side is stark.

Peter Barnes

The son of City legend Ken Barnes, Peter was a homegrown hero at Manchester City, showcasing immense talent as a left winger and earning the 1976 PFA Young Player of the Year award. His move to Manchester United in the mid-1980s came after a series of transfers away from his original club, lacking the sting of a direct switch.

His spell at Old Trafford was relatively quiet, a footnote in his extensive career which saw him play for over 20 clubs. He represents the era before the hyper-intensity of the modern rivalry, where players could cross the divide without igniting a national scandal.

Brian Kidd

Brian Kidd holds a unique position, having served both sides as player and, even more remarkably, as a coach. Born in Manchester, he was a United academy product who cemented his legend by scoring on his 19th birthday in the 1968 European Cup Final.

He later played for City in the late 70s. However, his enduring legacy comes from the bench: he was Sir Alex Ferguson’s trusted assistant during United’s dominance in the 90s, only to later join Manchester City’s coaching staff during their takeover era, becoming a key member in their subsequent title wins. He truly is the ultimate Red-and-Blue insider.

Owen Hargreaves

The transfer of Owen Hargreaves is a tale steeped in frustration and ill-fated determination. He arrived at Manchester United in 2007 as a world-class midfielder, but his four-year tenure was destroyed by chronic knee injuries, limiting him to just 39 total appearances.

Determined to prove his fitness, he famously posted YouTube videos of himself training to attract a new club. Manchester City took a costly gamble on him in 2011, a final, desperate roll of the dice in the player’s career. His final spell was a whimper, playing only one Premier League match before retiring, a heartbreaking end to a promising career defined by chronic pain.

John Gidman

John Gidman was an experienced full-back who navigated the Manchester divide in the mid-1980s. After beginning his career at Aston Villa and enjoying a successful spell at Everton, he arrived at Manchester United in 1981.

After four years at Old Trafford, he made the move to Manchester City in 1986. Gidman briefly achieved cult hero status at Maine Road by allegedly stating that City were the only club he would leave United for. He managed over 60 appearances for the Sky Blues, providing a solid, albeit unsung, link between the two rivals.

Sammy McIlroy

Sammy McIlroy possesses an unshakeable place in United history as the last player signed by the great Sir Matt Busby in 1969, earning him the title of the final Busby Babe. He served the Red Devils loyally for 11 years, making an instant impact by scoring on his debut in the derby against City.

After leaving Old Trafford, the Northern Ireland international had spells with other clubs before a brief, late-career stint at Manchester City in the 1985-86 season. His legacy remains firmly anchored in the Red half, but his fleeting appearance in the blue shirt secures his inclusion as a symbolic crosser.

Terry Cooke

Terry Cooke’s story is a measure of the unforgiving nature of Old Trafford’s “Class of ’92” era. Despite being part of that legendary group of youth players, the winger failed to secure a regular first-team spot at Manchester United.

In 1999, he took the rare and decisive step of moving directly to Manchester City. His transfer was one of the very few direct switches between the clubs at that time, making him an early pioneer of the modern, confrontational crossing of the divide.

Billy Meredith

The saga of Billy Meredith traces the origins of the bitter rivalry back to the early 1900s. A City icon, he was the central figure in the 1905 bribery scandal which saw him suspended. In a dramatic fallout, Manchester United shrewdly acquired Meredith after he was put up for auction, capitalizing on City’s turmoil.

His signing, along with several other implicated City players, directly helped United win their first league titles. His politically charged transfer was arguably the most disruptive, pivotal move between the rivals in their entire history.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho’s unique journey is a tale of modern youth academy politics. A City academy prodigy, he famously rejected a professional contract from Pep Guardiola in 2017, seeking first-team soccer at Borussia Dortmund.

After becoming a global star in Germany, his inevitable Premier League return was met with a transfer battle won by Manchester United in 2021. He is the ultimate modern crosser: a homegrown talent that one half of Manchester failed to secure, only to see him return as an expensive, statement signing for their bitter rivals.

Mark Robins

Mark Robins is a name forever etched in Manchester United folklore, not for his overall career impact, but for the “goal that saved Alex Ferguson’s job”—the winner against Nottingham Forest in the 1990 FA Cup. That FA Cup victory was Ferguson’s first major trophy, arguably changing the course of United’s history.

Years later, after spells at Norwich and Leicester, the striker’s career came full circle with a minimal, two-game loan spell at Manchester City in 1999 while they were in the First Division. His connection to City is a footnote, but his legendary, career-altering contribution to United ensures his spot on this list of crossers.

In an interview with Olga, Tevez spoke about organizing a farewell match to honor his decorated playing career, which officially ended with his retirement from Boca Juniors in 2022. “It’s something I still have pending,” he said. “I need to close a chapter. I haven’t had the conversation yet. I’ll do it, I’m definitely going to do it. We just have to figure out when. It’s not easy.”

Carlos was then asked which stars he plans to invite to the match. He named several former teammates—before getting to the two biggest: “Leo Messi, Cristiano… we’re going to bring them.” And he made it clear he believes it’s possible: “We’ll get them together. I’ll go get them myself. I have them saved in my WhatsApp as ‘CR7’ and ‘Enano (Spanish for ‘dwarf’).’”

Tevez played with Messi on the Argentina national team from 2005 to 2015. The pair made their major tournament debut together at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where Argentina were eliminated in the quarterfinals on penalties against the host nation. They also competed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and took part in three editions of the Copa America—2007, 2011, and 2015—losing two finals, to Brazil and Chile.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez played two seasons at Manchester United from 2007 to 2009. Alongside Wayne Rooney, they formed one of the most dangerous attacking trios in Europe, winning six trophies, including two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The stars who could join Tevez’s farewell match

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo aren’t the only global icons Carlos Tevez shared a pitch with during his 20-plus-year career. In the same interview, the former forward named several other big names he hopes to invite to his farewell match.

“(Edwin) Van der Sar on one side and (Gianluigi) Buffon on the other,” he said, referring to the goalkeepers. “At center back, we’ll probably have Rio Ferdinand, (Nemanja) Vidic… we’ll bring in (Giorgio) Chiellini, (Leonardo) Bonucci. Patrice Evra, my brother, he has to be there,” he added.

“Midfielders… (Andrea) Pirlo, Paul Scholes, Roman (Riquelme) will definitely be there,” said Carlos. He then once again mentioned his plan to invite Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while adding one more elite forward he played with: “Wayne Rooney.”

Tevez looks back on his Manchester United days

Although he spent seven years in England—playing for West Ham United, Manchester United, and Manchester City—Carlos Tevez never fully picked up the English language. Still, he found ways to connect with his teammates and formed strong friendships along the way. “Man, the laughs I had at United,” the Argentine recalled.

“There was a Korean guy, Ji-Sung Park, (Patrice) Evra, French, and me—I didn’t understand a word of English. The Korean kind of understood, and Patrice spoke all three languages,” Tevez explained. “The three of us had so many laughs… and everyone else would look at us like, ‘How do those three even understand each other?’ because they’d see us talking.”

The decision mandated that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner publicly apologize for his behavior and explain his motivations. The suspension has since been removed, so the veteran went back to work in preparation for Saturday’s game against Ajaccio.

PSG ultras have demonstrated both at the club’s training facility and outside Messi’s Parisian home in response to the ongoing issue. Since news of the earlier punishment for the Argentine was announced, several players and managers have spoken out in his defense.

What did Carlos Tevez say about PSG’s treatment of Lionel Messi?

Antoine Kombouare, former manager of French club Nantes, was the first to speak out in support of Lionel Messi, arguing that Paris Saint-Germain do not merit the services of the reigning World Cup winner. Then, Messi’s former teammate and current Argentina U20 coach Javier Mascherano also slammed the Ligue 1 winners for their treatment of the superstar.

Carlos Tevez, a legend among Argentine strikers, has joined the rising chorus of people who feel that Lionel Messi has not been treated well during his time at Parc des Princes: “If you tell me, being a world champion, that he had to go and apologize for going on a trip when he had a day off, I would go back to Rosario and stay there drinking mate.

“You -PSG- have to apologize to me, but Messi, the truth that the club puts above everything. You have to take off your hat. Afterwards, we can say thousands of things about a club where they didn’t really take care of him. From the first moment he arrived, they didn’t take care of him.

“It will be because of the World Cup or something else, but you can’t treat a player like that who has led PSG to know him. I played against PSG when I was at Manchester United and they were in the middle of the table. The same as City when I signed, we had four showers and we changed in a container”, he said on TyC Sports.

Having left his homeland in the summer and presently beinga free agent, Carlos Tevez is hoping to make a comeback. After all, the Argentina striker, who’s played in 76 international matches but hasn’t officially retired, seems to be planning one more farewell party.

Serie A trio Milan, Inter, and Juventus have all welcomedthe Argentinecentre-forwardlately as he tries to figure out his future move in thesoccerworldby touring Europe. There is now speculation thatheis planning a visit to Tottenham’s training field with the hope ofreturning to the Premier League.

Tevez to reunite with Conte?

Italian boss Antonio Conte and Carlos Tevez are apparently planning a meeting to discuss a potential transfer to Tottenham, as per Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport. Having played for both Manchester United and Manchester City, the 38-year-old veteran is well-known to Premier League viewers.

He scored 73 goals in four seasons at the Etihad and was a championship winner under Roberto Mancini. In the years afterward, he has played for Juventus in Italy and Boca Juniors in Argentina, as well as in China, where he spent time between stints with both.

Antonio Conte, who coached theattacker when he was in charge of Juventus, might be the reason why he willmake a trip to Tottenham’s training ground to see his old boss.

Since Harry Kaneis the only available striker for Tottenham, the club is in desperate need of a new central attacker. With the Englishmanaheadin the pecking order, the Lilywhites have struggled to find a suitable back-up in the past.Despite his age, it’s possible that the Argentinemay fill this position, butit would be doubtfulwhether he would beable to handle the physical demands of the Premier League.

The 38-year-old said he couldn’t play for Boca anymore but hasnever turned down the option of playing in another club or league again. As a matter of fact, Tevez suggestedhe would be open to join the Major League Soccer.

When asked about his future byArgentine TV star Alejandro Fantino in late November last year,Tevez hinted at a possible move to the US. “It has to be something that I enjoy. Flor (his eldest daughter) likes Washington,” he said. Good for him, because DC United are reportedly one of three MLS teams interested in him.

MLS Rumors: DC United reportedly in talks with Carlos Tevez, two other teams are also interested

Rumors about a Carlos Tevez move to the MLS emerged last weekend when journalist Gustavo Grabia reported that DC United were in advanced talks to sign the forward, somethingThe Athletic have also reported later.

Argentine transfer expert Cesar Luis Merlo added that Minnesota United and Orlando City have joined the queue for the Boca Juniors legend but have yet to make an official offer to the player.

Carlos Tevez has a decorated career that includes some of the most prestigious trophies on Earth such as theChampions League, Copa Libertadores, Premier League, Serie A Scudettos, Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and an Olympic Gold Medal.

After a fantastic breakthrough atBoca, Tevez joined Corinthians for $16m in 2005. It wouldn’t take long for him to begin an 11-yearstint in the Premier League. After helping West Ham secure safety in the 2006-07, the Apache signed for Manchester United. He would later join crosstown rivals Man City before he made the switch to Juventus. Even at his peak, he decided to return home in 2015 to play for Boca again. He left for a year in 2017 for Shanghai Shenhua but returned in early 2018. Tevez has been without a club since June 2021. He has recorded237 goals and 108 assists in 606 games in his career.

Now, the aging Argentine is a free agent but isn’t ready to hang the cleats and retire, and some people believe that he could still bring a lot to the table. That’s why he’s going to have plenty of offers to continue his incredible career outside of his homeland.

The 37-year-old striker’s deal with his beloved club Boca Juniors has expired and neither side is interested in working on an extension, so he’s expected to take his talents abroad for what’s likely his final stop before retirement.

Transfer Rumors: 3 MLS Teams Could Sign Carlos Tévez

“Carlos Tevez’s contract with Boca Juniors has finished and the 37-year-old is open to a move abroad. According to ESPN, the United States are a likely destination for the Argentine,” read Marca’s report.

Minnesota United

Minnesota United are already familiar with former Boca Juniors strikers, as Tevez’s former teammates Ramon ‘Wanchope’ Ábila and Emmanuel ‘Bebelo’ Reynoso play for The Loons. Carlos Tévez would play next to a familiar face on an up-and-coming team.

Atlanta United

Gabriel Heinze and Carlos Tevez go way back from their days at Manchester United and the national team.The Argentine coach is looking forward to improving Atlanta United’s rosterand having a veteran like ‘El Apache’ coming off the bench behind Josef Martínez would be a scary sight for the rest of the league.

Inter Miami

And last but not least, we can never rule out David Beckham and Inter Miami when it comes to a big-name signing. Inter have struggled to get by since entering the league and pairing him with Gonzalo ‘Pipita’ Higuaín upfront could put an end to their offensive woes once and for all.