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In what has sent shockwaves through Manchester football, reports have emerged that Pep Guardiola has expressed deep frustration behind the scenes over the potential departure of yet another Manchester City player β this time to fierce rivals Manchester United. The Catalan manager, who is known for his emotional honesty and fierce loyalty to his players, is said to have been left stunned after discovering that one of his trusted stars is seriously considering a switch to Old Trafford.
According to multiple English outlets, Guardiola reportedly vented his frustration privately, referencing the earlier transfers of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal in 2022 β deals that, at the time, he reluctantly approved but which have since left a sour taste given Arsenalβs sustained title rivalry with City.
βFirst it was Jesus and Zinchenko,β Guardiola reportedly told close staff members. βThey betrayed me by joining a rival. I let them go because they wanted more minutes and a new challenge. But now it feels like dΓ©jΓ vu. Another one wants to leave β and this time to Manchester United β just because theyβre having a good moment. I thought loyalty meant something.β
Cityβs Core Under Pressure
The revelation comes amid growing speculation that one of Cityβs key players β believed to be either Jack Grealish or Bernardo Silva β could be targeted by Manchester United in the upcoming transfer window. Sources close to the situation suggest that Unitedβs resurgence under RΓΊben Amorim has caught the attention of several Premier League stars, including a few within Cityβs dressing room who have grown restless with rotation and tactical rigidity.
Manchester Unitedβs improved form this season has reignited their image as an elite destination. Amorimβs high-pressing, dynamic football and his man-management style have reportedly made an impression on players across Europe β even within rival camps.
City, meanwhile, have endured a challenging spell by their own high standards. Consecutive draws and a shock defeat to Aston Villa have left Guardiolaβs men trailing in the Premier League table, while dressing-room harmony has reportedly been tested by the intense competition for places.
βPep demands perfection every day,β said one insider. βThatβs his strength, but itβs also exhausting for some players. When they see others getting more freedom at clubs like United or Arsenal, it makes them think.β
A Familiar Wound for Guardiola
Guardiolaβs reference to Jesus and Zinchenko is telling. When the duo left for Arsenal, he publicly wished them well but privately felt betrayed. Both players were integral parts of Cityβs title-winning machine β humble, hardworking, and tactically reliable. Yet, when Arsenalβs Mikel Arteta β himself a former Guardiola assistant β called, they answered eagerly.
Guardiola reportedly felt that those exits βstrengthened a rivalβ at a critical moment. Now, with Manchester United resurging, he fears history may repeat itself.
βPep has always valued loyalty above everything,β noted football journalist Miguel Delaney. βHe doesnβt like the idea of players leaving him for rivals. Itβs not about control β itβs about trust and shared ambition. When a player chooses the other side of Manchester, that hits differently.β
Cityβs hierarchy, led by sporting director Txiki Begiristain, is said to be working tirelessly to calm the situation. They are keen to assure Guardiola that the club will not sanction any deal that strengthens United, especially while both teams are battling for top honors domestically and in Europe.
Manchester Divided Once Again
If the rumored move materializes, it would mark one of the most sensational cross-city transfers in Premier League history. While City have occasionally allowed fringe players to move elsewhere, selling or losing a key figure to United would be unthinkable β both politically and emotionally.
Manchester United, under Amorimβs project, are aggressively rebuilding their squad with a clear focus on youth, hunger, and tactical flexibility. The clubβs improved recruitment strategy and footballing identity have not gone unnoticed. The prospect of joining a resurgent United side β especially one backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffeβs INEOS group β could appeal to players frustrated by a lack of game time at City.
A source close to the United camp hinted: βThe idea of signing from City is bold, but nothing is impossible. Amorim believes in fearless recruitment. If thereβs a chance to get a top player from them, United will explore it.β
Guardiolaβs Emotional Response
Behind the calm exterior often seen in press conferences, Guardiola is known to be fiercely protective of his squad. He values personal relationships as much as tactical execution. To him, a playerβs commitment to the collective is sacred β and thatβs why these rumors have struck such a nerve.
βHeβs not angry because a player wants to leave,β said one insider. βHeβs hurt because itβs Manchester United. He sees that as betrayal, not ambition. The rivalry between the two clubs isnβt just football β itβs emotional.β
In a recent training session, Guardiola was reportedly more intense than usual, demanding full focus and effort from every player. Those close to the team say itβs his way of reinforcing unity amid uncertainty. βPep knows how quickly speculation spreads,β one staff member revealed. βHe wants to remind everyone that Cityβs success depends on loyalty and trust.β
Cityβs Culture Being Tested
The success of Manchester City in the Guardiola era has been built on collective identity β players who buy into the system and the managerβs vision. But after years of relentless dominance, maintaining motivation and unity is harder than ever.
βEvery dynasty reaches a point where individuals start thinking about their next challenge,β said former City defender Micah Richards. βPep has kept that from happening longer than anyone else could. But itβs natural β players want new experiences. The problem is, when that experience involves United, it stings differently.β
Reports suggest Guardiola has privately spoken with the player in question, urging him to reconsider any approach from United. The club has also reportedly offered to extend contracts and improve bonuses for players who commit their long-term future to the Etihad.
Unitedβs Silent Revolution
While City deal with internal unease, Manchester United are quietly building momentum. Amorimβs project has not only revitalized the teamβs tactical identity but also its image among top professionals. Players now see United as a club reborn β a serious, competitive environment with purpose.
That perception shift has unsettled rivals, including Guardiola, who once comfortably held dominance over the Manchester landscape. βItβs strange for Pep,β said one pundit. βFor years, City were the only stable, successful Manchester club. Now United look alive again, and that changes everything.β
A Message from Pep
Guardiola is expected to address the situation publicly soon. Those who know him well believe he will defend his players while subtly warning against disloyalty. βYou can go anywhere you want in football,β he once said. βBut remember who helped you become what you are.β
That statement, more than any tactical breakdown, captures the essence of Guardiolaβs disappointment. He has built Manchester City not just as a team, but as a family β one where every departure feels personal.
Whether the rumored betrayal materializes or not, one thing is clear: the battle for Manchester is no longer just about points or trophies. Itβs about pride, loyalty, and the power to inspire belief.
And as Pep Guardiola fights to protect what he built, the shadows of Jesus, Zinchenko β and now a potential new defector β serve as painful reminders that in football, loyalty can be the rarest currency of all.
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