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.

Chelsea and Real Betis will face each other today for the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League final, in which both teams are aiming to close the season with a title. However, Jadon Sancho, who has been a key figure for the Blues in the competition, will start the match on the bench.

The reason for his absence in the starting lineup is tactical, as the whole Chelsea squad was available for the match. It’s a telling choice by coach Enzo Maresca, who recently spoke about the possibility of retaining Sancho, who is on loan with the team from Manchester United.

“I don’t know,” said the Italian boss, when asked about the future of the forward. “I said that when in the last weeks you asked me about different players, I always said the same. And the reason why is because it’s the truth,” he explained.

“It’s not the moment, we have the final. Then in 24 hours, 48 hours, we’re going to start to talk about the future. But at this moment, there is not any thought or any decision made on Jadon or any different players,” he added.

In the Conference League, Sancho has scored one goal and produced five assists. He is also coming from starting in both legs of the Blues’ semi-final triumph over Djurgarden. This could potentially be his last match for the club, unless he gets a chance to impress the bosses.

Chelsea’s lineup for the UEFA Conference League final

As we said, Chelsea have all their players available, after Nicolas Jackson returned from a two-game suspension, while Christopher Nkunku is fit again after injury. So, Maresca opted for this lineup against Real Betis: Filip Jorgensen; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.

Meanwhile, Real Betis, coached by Manuel Pellegrini, are playing with: Adrian; Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodriguez; Isco, Johnny Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Cedric Bakambu, Abde Ezzalzouli.

Jadon Sancho has ignited the 2023/2024 season with a stellar performance for Borussia Dortmund, reclaiming the elite form that once marked him as a global soccer prodigy. His pivotal contributions have been instrumental in propelling his squad to the brink of Champions League glory, culminating in a coveted spot in the final.

The English striker’s standout displays have positioned him as a frontrunner for a pivotal role in the upcoming clash against Spain. Alongside luminaries like Foden, Kane, and Bellingham, Sancho’s presence promises to inject unparalleled dynamism into England’s offensive arsenal as they gear up to face their formidable rivals.

Jadon Sancho out of the Euro 2024 final against Spain

Jadon Sancho’s absence from the final can be traced back to tactical decisions by England’s coach Gareth Southgate. Southgate has emphasized the wealth of offensive options at his disposal, indicating that tough choices must be made.

“We can’t start with everyone. They are good problems. I’d rather have talent and make decisions based on form than not have those options and be mulling over who to play and in what position. Any coach prefers to have good players to work with and choose from,” he asserted.

In a stunning turn of events, England’s lineup for their pivotal quarterfinal clash with Switzerland will be without the dynamic presence of Jadon Sancho. The Borussia Dortmund forward, who has revitalized his career in Germany after a challenging stint with Manchester United, finds himself not only absent from the starting XI but also omitted from the match squad altogether.

Sancho’s absence comes as a significant surprise to fans and pundits alike, given his resurgence with Dortmund, where he has showcased his formidable skills anew. Widely anticipated to play a pivotal role for England in the Euros, particularly in this showdown against Granit Xhaka’s Switzerland, Sancho will finally be out being a big surprise for many fans.

Jadon Sancho out of the duel against Switzerland

Jadon Sancho‘s absence from the upcoming game and the entire Euro 2024 tournament isn’t just a mere sidelining—it’s a strategic omission. The Borussia Dortmund star hasn’t made the cut for England’s squad, a decision rooted purely in tactical considerations, despite raising eyebrows among many fans and pundits alike.

When asked about the player, the English coach explained that he already has enough offensive variants, and added: “We can’t start with everyone. They are good problems. I’d rather have talent and make decisions based on form than not have those options and be mulling over who to play and in what position. Any coach prefers to have good players to work with and choose from.”

Jadon Sancho has experienced a resurgence this season. Following a disappointing spell at Manchester United, during which he struggled to find his form and was even sidelined by then-manager Ten Hag due to disciplinary issues, the 2023/2024 season saw a remarkable turnaround for him.

As a key player for Borussia Dortmund, Sancho played a pivotal role in his team’s journey to the Champions League final, where they came agonizingly close to glory, ultimately losing to Real Madrid. Despite this setback, his standout performances throughout the season suggested that he would be a shoo-in for the England squad at Euro 2024.

Jadon Sancho out of Euro 2024

However, that finally did not happen and although many wonder the reasons, since the player had shown a great level, in addition to not having presented any injury that could justify his absence. Apparently, Southgate’s decision is eminently tactical.

According to the coach, he already has enough offensive variants: “We can’t start with everyone. They are good problems. I’d rather have talent and make decisions based on form than not have those options and be mulling over who to play and in what position. Any coach prefers to have good players to work with and choose from,” were his words.

Erik ten Hag is in his second year as coach, and despite significant signings, he hasn’t delivered the expected results. The Red Devils won’t play in the Champions League next year, and in the Premier League, they’re fighting to avoid falling out of the Top 6.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho continues to shine with Borussia Dortmund, making the most of his loan spell with the German club. Although they have fallen behind in the Bundesliga, the youngster has been instrumental in taking them to the semifinals of the Champions League.

Therefore, in the coming weeks, Manchester United must make a very important decision about Sancho’s future. Allowing his return to Old Trafford or a big transfer if he is not in Erik ten Hag’s plans.

Jadon Sancho will leave Manchester United

According to a report from ESPN, Manchester United won’t keep Jadon Sancho next season. It doesn’t matter if Erik ten Hag stays in charge or not, the Red Devils have made their final decision.

Although Borussia Dortmund would like to extend the loan for another year, the reality is that United want to obtain a significant amount of money for a transfer. Sancho is currently under contract until 2026 has become highly valued thanks to his performances in the Champions League.

This was Erik ten Hag’s answer on the subject after watching the game against PSG. “He played very good and he’s a very good player. Yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for Manchester United, which is good. I’m happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday, and we’ll see what is going to happen in the future.”

It all started when Erik ten Hag stated that Sancho was not going to play against Arsenal in September due to what the former Ajax manager signal as “his performances in training”. A livid Sancho took to social media and wrote, “I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself very well in training this week… I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!”

In total Sancho has played only 82 games for Manchester United and scored 12 goals and is in his third year of a five-year deal. Sancho only won the EFL Cup with ManU.

Jadon Sancho to go on loan to Borussia Dortmund

Coming in to save the day according to Sky Sports is Sancho’s former club, Borussia Dortmund, where he spent four seasons and scored 50 goals in 137 games. Talks are ongoing and all signs point to a loan until the end of the season.

By then many pundits believe that ten Hag will be shown the door, and a new Manchester United project can flourish, and Sancho can return with a clean slate. Dortmund is reported to only pay the loan fee and part of Sancho’s current salary with Manchester United paying the rest.

What does this loan mean for Gio Reyna?

The arrival of Sancho will only limit even more the chances of playing for USMNT star Gio Reyna who has virtually been a nonfactor for Dortmund this season. Manager Edin Terzić simply has other players ahead of the USMNT prodigy.

Reyna’s father Claudio was in Germany to talk about his son’s future at the club, rumors of a loan outside of Dortmund are ongoing but no real takers have emerged. Reyna has only played 11 games this season after a career season in 2022/23 which saw him play 30 games and score 7 goals.

Reyna has also had his time at the club hampered by various injuries which have seen him fall down the pecking order.

The Italian journalist and transfer market expert claims the Old Lady are interested in a loan deal, with the Red Devils covering part of his salary. However, the English side is reportedly waiting for suitors who are willing to make a permanent transfer.

Juve are currently second in the Serie A standings with 29 points, two shy of leaders Inter Milan. The Italian club was banned from European competition by UEFA this season for breaking financial fair play regulations.

Sancho, meanwhile, hasn’t played for United since August as he’s been separated from the first team by coach Erik ten Hag. The 23-year-old is training alone at the academy and is expected to leave the club in January.

The origin of Sancho’s exile at Man United

It all started when Sancho was left out of Manchester United’s squad to face Arsenal on September 3. Following his team’s 3-1 loss, ten Hag explained the Englishman wasn’t called up due to poor performance in practice.

Sancho reacted immediately to his manager’s comments, denying the Dutchman’s version of the story. In a social media post he later deleted, Sancho contradicted ten Hag.

“Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair! All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decision that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!,” Sancho’s statement read.

Shortly after that, ten Hag suggested he had no choice but to separate Sancho from the first team. “Strict lines is the point. It’s what the club asked me to do, because there was no good culture before last season. So to set some good standards and that is what I did. That is my job, to control the standards. It has never been when someone makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. If staff, players or whoever, if there is a structure to cross lines you have to be strong, absolutely,” the 53-year-old coach said.

Manchester United aim to recoup what they spent for Sancho

Since they spent €85 million to get him from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, it makes sense that Manchester United want to sell Sancho. But according to Transfermarkt, his market value dropped to €32m, so they may not recoup that much.

However, anything they can get would be better than continue paying an expensive contract for a player training on his own at the academy. Therefore, if no teams come up with permanent deal bids, a loan could be an alternative option.

After being benched by Ten Hag and where the manager questioned the star player’s training, Sancho took to Instagram to defend himself. The situation came to a head when Sancho was banished from first team training, and even eating with his teammates.

According to The Sun, Sancho and ten Hag have “no relationship”, with ten Hag requesting an apology by the player in front of the team, Sancho has refused, according to reports, to issue said apology as he still feels his name was used as a “scapegoat” for Manchester United’s poor run of form.

Where could Sancho transfer to?

With talks between the player and the manager at a standstill, reports have been many as to what comes next for one of England’s top talents. According to The Sun, Borussia Dortmund would be interested in a loan move for Sancho. Sancho had great success at Dortmund playing from 2017-2021 in 104 matches and netting 38 Bundesliga goals.

The other rumor is Juventus are interested in Sancho, Juve may not have the funds at the moment for a January transfer but could work out a loan deal with an option to buy, freezing the price tag.

Sancho has been training with United’s academy and if he were to leave Manchester United, Sancho would be one of the biggest bust signings in United history. Sancho was seen as one of the key players to finally put United back on top of the Premier League.

Jadon Sancho’s numbers at Manchester United

This season Sancho has only played in three Premier League matches without registering a goal or assist. Before that he had played 55 PL games scoring only 9 goals. Sancho’s best season was last season with 6 goals in the Premier League and 7 in total across all competitions.

Despite being labeled a top talent, Sancho’s play has mixed good with bad since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, after being left off of the Manchester United squad against Arsenal, Ten Hag stated that Sancho was not training well to earn a place in the squad.

Sancho was furious about this statement and on social media stated he was being used as a “scapegoat” and went on to say that Ten Hag was lying. Manchester United is off to an inconsistent start to the Premier League season with three wins and three loses.

Jadon Sancho takes down Instagram

Not only has Sancho now been banned from all training and congregation activities at Manchester United, but the Three Lions star has taken down his social media. When one clicks on Sancho’s Instagram profile it says “profile not found”.

Sancho has been banned from even eating with his teammates and the only way the ban can be lifted is if the winger issues an apology to Erik ten Hag.

According to a source in the Mirror: “There is an easy way to resolve this situation, which is for Jadon to say sorry to the manager. Something has to give – and it won’t be the manager.”

The banning is a major fall from grace for Sancho who was expected to become a leader at Manchester United, if not it’s biggest star, but the winger has struggled to live up to his billing and this ban is a major shake up for the player to get his act together.

The Red Devils made several moves to try and get back to glory days in recent years, but they haven’t paid off so far. The last time they won a Premier League title, Sir Alex Ferguson was still at the helm.

This season, the club is not even playing in the UEFA Champions League, a competition they haven’t won since 2008. Meanwhile, players for whom they invested a lot are losing value at the club.

Jadon Sancho’s market value plummets after two years at Man United

According to Transfermarkt, Jadon Sancho’s market value dropped by $48 million since he joined Manchester United. The Englishman was worth $96m in October 2021, while the latest update in June 2023 says his value is $48m.

Back in the day, Sancho was one of the most promising players in Europe. That’s why United’s decision to fork out $90m to get the winger from Borussia Dortmund looked like a smart choice.

Two years later, the Red Devils seem to regret it. Sancho, 23, is no longer the young promise he was in the Bundesliga, and there are other players above the pecking order for Erik ten Hag.

How many goals has Jadon Sancho scored for Man United?

Jadon Sancho has 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances for Manchester United.