Pep Guardiola is now set to depart Manchester City this summer, which could be massive for Manchester in the race for Elliot Anderson.
After a decade in charge of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is set to walk away this summer.
This is exciting news for the entire Premier League, given that the Spaniard has had a stranglehold on the competition for almost his entire stay in Manchester.
Manchester United will be particularly pleased, for reasons relating to this summer’s transfer window and beyond.
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Ever since Pep Guardiola took charge of City, they have finished ahead of United every season and have painfully become the best team in the country on the pitch.
This is without mentioning the embarrassing trophy cabinet comparison in the past decade, resulting in Guardiola’s City becoming a club able to win any transfer race they enter.
United have missed out because of this; most recently, Antoine Semenyo chose City both for money and the fact that silverware is practically guaranteed under Guardiola.
However, this is all about to change.
Guardiola leaving City creates a massive problem for them, because he is the club and has turned them into what the club is today; without him, there is a big hole that cannot be filled by Enzo Maresca.
Long-term managers leaving clubs have traditionally led to struggle afterwards, with the shoes too big to fill.
So while City now needs to build a new identity and rebuild their squad, United are going into next season with expectations to challenge for the league.
This means that this summer, United are the more settled and attractive club for potential signings, for the first time in a decade.
With the club’s stature remaining, finally, United are on the pitch and in terms of the managerial situation, look in a better place.
Not to mention Michael Carrick surely has more rapport and chance of convincing Anderson than Maresca, when the two have similar resumes, when you ignore the inflated postseason tour he won with Chelsea last season.
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One move this feels quite impactful regarding is Elliot Anderson, who United were set to battle City to sign, although the feeling was he wanted to move to the Etihad.
This was with the intention of working with Pep Guardiola, and his exit will surely open the door again to Anderson considering United the better option for his ambitions.
Does Anderson want to join a City side set for some turbulence, playing under a manager he won’t be completely sold on? We think not, especially when United can offer him guaranteed football, playing in the Champions League, a title charge next season, and a manager in Michael Carrick who is from the same area as him.
Obviously, the price tag remains a problem, but if there isn’t a bidding war or Anderson doesn’t want City, then United can potentially drive that fee downwards closer to £80m with extreme add-ons if he becomes a world-class midfielder.
Anderson shone at Old Trafford, and for a reasonable fee, he would be a great addition.
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