Man Utd make SHOCK move for ex-Man City superstar

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 11 Feb 2025 01:06 CST
3 min read

Ruben Amorim, Manchester United — © IMAGO

Manchester United are making a shock summer move for ex-Manchester City star Joao Cancelo.

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That is according to Fichajes, who report that United are interested in bringing the Portugal wing-back back to Europe.

Cancelo is currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia after joining Al Hilal from Man City last summer for a fee in excess of €25 million.

The 30-year-old was considered for a while the best wing-back in the world under Pep Guardiola after joining from Juventus in 2019.

However, he requested to leave Man City in 2023 after losing his first-team place and having a rumoured falling-out with Guardiola.

After failed loan moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona, City eventually sold him last summer to Al Hilal.

© IMAGO - Joao Cancelo fell out with Guardiola

Ruben Amorim wants Cancelo

Surprisingly, Fichajes reports that Ruben Amorim wants to bring back Cancelo to Manchester, a move that the player himself is open to.

Amorim is searching for wing backs that are able to play in his 3-4-2-1 system and believes Cancelo is perfect for the position on the right or left.

The move comes as a surprise as it has now been a number of years since Cancelo has played at a top-class level.

He turns 31 in May, which will also raise doubts about whether United would be signing someone who is past their best.

The Red Devils have been burned in recent years when signing players with big reputations who are approaching or past the age of 30, with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Raphael Varane and Casemiro all proving expensive flops.

United are expected to undergo something of a revolution this summer after another disastrous season.

They currently find themselves down in 13th position in the Premier League with no hope of qualifying for the Champions League and with their only realistic route into Europe being through the FA Cup or Europa League.