Sir Alex Ferguson had a tendency of handpicking players from across the Premier League to bolster his Manchester United side — whether it was Robin van Persie from Arsenal or Michael Carrick from Tottenham Hotspur.
However, with Manchester City becoming the superpower they are now, the former United boss would have perhaps been unable to work his charm to persuade them to move to the red side of the city.
But Sir Alex Ferguson would likely have recognised the calibre of players City have at their disposal if he was still managing the Red Devils and the veteran would have been tempted to try and make a move.
As Kevin De Bruyne is set to depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, he told Viaplay Football that his future could well lie in the Premier League as the Belgian will play his football elsewhere in the following campaign.
With that being the case, Joe Cole believes Sir Alex Ferguson would have tried to poach De Bruyne from Manchester City this summer.
Joe Cole says Sir Alex Ferguson would’ve tried to sign Kevin De Bruyne
On the Dressing Room Podcast, Joe Cole claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson would have instantly been at Kevin De Bruyne’s door to try and sign him for Manchester United: “Who knows, maybe there’s another Premier League club there for him.”
Joe Cole feels Sir Alex Ferguson would have also tried to convince De Bruyne to move from Manchester City to Manchester United over a cup of coffee: “Listen, if Alex Ferguson was about he’d be at his door when he gets home from training saying, ‘Can I take you for a coffee son, what do you think about it?’
Pep Guardiola dubbed De Bruyne a Manchester City “legend” and with how loved he is by the Sky Blues faithful, he would sever all ties by heading to Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes paid tribute to De Bruyne after the recent Manchester Derby and it would come as no surprise if United’s dressing room would welcome his arrival with open arms.
Kevin De Bruyne has already revealed how he feels about Man United
De Bruyne, who cost Manchester City £54.5 million is the type of virtuoso Joe Cole would have seen Manchester United line up with under Sir Alex Ferguson — as he is in the same class as legendary players such as Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.
With Ferguson and United’s obvious pulling power during the Scot’s reign, perhaps several players would have been tempted to play under the retired manager.
But thankfully for Manchester City fans, De Bruyne was not afraid to hide his hostility towards Manchester United when he was handed their shirt in 2021.
After the host of the Mid Mid podcast handed the 33-year-old the Red Devils shirt, the midfield maestro laughed and replied: “Do I burn it now?”
The host, who supports Manchester United said: “It’s a dream [for him to see De Bruyne sign for them].”
De Bruyne replied: “Most dreams aren’t real.”
