Pep Guardiola is reportedly furious after discovering that one of his key Manchester City players has secretly reached an agreement on personal terms with archrivals Manchester United, setting the stage for what could be one of the most shocking transfers of the upcoming January window.
Sources inside the Etihad claim the City manager feels deeply betrayed, describing the situation as another painful reminder of how loyalty in modern football is fading fast.
According to close insiders, Guardiola’s anger was immediate and intense upon learning of the clandestine deal.
The Spanish tactician, known for his emphasis on unity and commitment, is said to have compared this situation to past instances when Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko departed for Arsenal, moves that once tested his trust in the players around him.
This latest betrayal, insiders say, has reopened old wounds and caused growing unease within the dressing room.
Reports suggest the player involved is one of City’s core first-team members a dependable figure Guardiola has leaned on in crucial fixtures and often praised for discipline and professionalism.
The fact that negotiations reportedly took place behind Guardiola’s back has only intensified his frustration.
Loyalty and transparency have long been non-negotiable principles for the City boss, and the notion that one of his most trusted stars may have been plotting a move to a direct rival feels, to him, like a personal affront.
The unnamed player’s decision appears to have been swayed by Manchester United’s recent revival under Rúben Amorim, whose leadership has restored optimism at Old Trafford.
United’s renewed sense of purpose and their ambition to reestablish dominance in English football have reportedly enticed the player into considering a switch.
Guardiola, however, sees this as another example of players being “too quick to forget” the foundation City has built under his reign.
Privately, Guardiola has expressed his frustration to club executives, reportedly saying
“First, it was Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko who joined our rivals, and now it’s happening again. Some players seem to forget what we’ve worked so hard to achieve here.”
Determined not to let history repeat itself, Guardiola has demanded that City’s hierarchy block any potential January exits that could destabilize the team’s momentum. Still, sources indicate that Manchester United are moving aggressively behind the scenes.
The club is said to have already reached an agreement on personal terms with the player, leaving only the transfer fee as the final hurdle.
United’s board reportedly views the player as a transformative signing—someone capable of lifting their Champions League aspirations and reigniting their push for Premier League glory.
For Guardiola, this is a familiar and painful scenario—seeing another star tempted by a domestic rival’s promise of a “new challenge.” As January approaches, tension between both Manchester clubs is escalating, with fans on both sides eagerly speculating about the mystery player’s identity.
The unfolding drama not only highlights the fierce rivalry between City and United but also underscores how fragile even the strongest bonds can become in the high-stakes world of modern football.
