Manchester City now have many a bragging right over Manchester United.
After years of living in the shadow of Manchester United, the Citizens have turned the tables, winning four Premier League titles in a row – something no side has ever done – before Liverpool took their crown last season.
Manchester City also ensured Manchester United could no longer claim to be the only English side to have won the treble after winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in 2023.
Another bragging right is now close to being gifted to Manchester City fans, as a deal to sign Sverre Nypan nears completion.
Manchester United have watched Sverre Nypan since he was 16 – but Manchester City have won the race
Manchester City have now agreed to sign Nypan from Rosenborg in a £12.5m deal, beating Arsenal and Aston Villa to the Norwegian wonderkid.
Not only that, but Hugo Viana has pinched a player Manchester United have watched since the age of 16.
That is according to Graeme Bailey, who told TBR Football in April: “I see him as one of those generational talents, he is that good.
“We know Man United were all over him when he was 16, whilst Villa are now battling Arsenal and Manchester City for him – that tells us everything we need to know.”
Nypan – now aged 18 – has already drawn comparisons to Jude Bellingham and his fellow Norwegian Martin Odegaard, although his talent will not immediately benefit Pep Guardiola, as Manchester City plan to send the teenager out on loan.
Parallels to Rayan Cherki are clear, as Manchester United targeted the Frenchman at the age of just 15
Having finished 15th in the Premier League last season, Manchester United are not in a position to snap up talents they have watched for years, a development Viana is taking full advantage of.
Manchester United also admired Rayan Cherki, with the Telegraph claiming that those at Old Trafford even considered a move for the France international when he was just 15 years of age as he made shockwaves at Lyon.
Of course, Manchester City have now signed Cherki in a £30.5m move, a relatively cheap deal which Manchester United surely would have tried to compete for, had they been able to offer European football.
In a few years down the line, when Nypan could be helping the Frenchman win silverware for Manchester City, Manchester United will surely look over at their noisy neighbours with real jealousy.
