Report: Man United target shock midfield deal with rivals Man City | OneFootball

Man United’s Midfield Rebuild: Could City’s James McAtee Be the Answer?

Unusual Path for a Manchester Talent

The rumour mill rarely spins without friction, but even by those standards, this one feels extraordinary: Manchester United, historically reluctant to do business with their blue neighbours, are considering a move for Manchester City’s promising midfielder, James McAtee.

McAtee’s contract situation – with just a year left – adds a layer of intrigue. He’s scored seven goals this season for Pep Guardiola’s side, but the 22-year-old is said to be seeking more consistent first-team minutes. His desire for a larger role has put clubs across Europe on alert.

Contract Clock Ticking at the Etihad

Manchester City find themselves in a familiar yet delicate situation. McAtee, by all accounts, is a talent who fits Guardiola’s system: technically assured, capable in tight spaces, and productive in the final third. But City’s squad depth makes it difficult for even gifted prospects to break through.

That has left McAtee contemplating his options. Bayer Leverkusen reportedly failed with a £25 million bid in January, but remain interested, especially if Florian Wirtz moves on. Closer to home, Nottingham Forest have also emerged as suitors, viewing McAtee as a potential replacement for Morgan Gibbs-White, who’s been tipped as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

Photo: IMAGO

The situation, then, is nuanced. McAtee wants minutes. City, flush with midfield talent, might not be able to offer them. United, looking to rejuvenate their midfield, might see this as a rare chance to poach a player not just of quality, but also local understanding.

A Risky Yet Symbolic Move for United

If Manchester United were to pursue McAtee seriously, it would represent a bold shift in recruitment ethos – and, perhaps, a fresh statement under the new sporting leadership. With Ruben Amorim looking to shape the misfit United squad this summer, McAtee might be a early piece of the puzzle.

He wouldn’t require relocation, his development curve is upward, and – if City don’t renew his deal – United could land him at a fraction of his true market value.

Still, emotionally and politically, it’s a thorny move. The clubs might not want to deal directly. McAtee may have reservations. But in football, opportunity can often outweigh history.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, the potential move for James McAtee is both daring and refreshing. For too long, United’s transfer strategy has veered between overpriced stars and undercooked prospects, often without a coherent identity. McAtee, though, could buck that trend.

He’s young, technically sharp, and crucially, has something to prove. That hunger, coupled with experience in a high-standard environment like City’s, gives him a foundation many United signings have lacked. Signing him wouldn’t just be a swipe at City – it would show United are thinking smarter.

Some fans might scoff at the optics – taking a player not good enough for Guardiola. But that’s reductive. City’s squad is stacked, and their development bottleneck is real. Phil Foden barely broke through until his twenties. McAtee could be a late bloomer.

Of course, it hinges on the fee and the fit. If United are paying over the odds for a player they can’t guarantee minutes to, it risks another chapter in a frustrating transfer history. But if they see McAtee as a genuine piece of their midfield future – not just a squad filler – then this could be a clever play. One that shows United finally understand that long-term thinking beats short-term appeasement.