Manchester United went head-to-head with Man City for Rodri last summer
Manchester City star Rodri could have been lining up for his side’s bitter rivals on Sunday if Manchester United got their way last summer.
That is because Manchester United were in the race to sign the Spanish midfielder before City tied up a club record £62.8million deal on July 4.
The Athletic report how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side compiled in-depth scouting reports on the former Atletico Madrid ace before City got their man.
Rodri (right) could have been lining up for Man United during Sunday’s Old Trafford derby
Pep Guardiola managed to land Rodri ahead of rivals Manchester United in the summer
City’s defensive midfielder has proven to be an astute acquisition with the former La Liga star playing 38 times so far this season.
Rodri impressed in possession at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon but it was January signing Bruno Fernandes who stole the show.
Fernandes, who United purchased from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £47m – the fee could rise to £68m – in January, is a completely different player to Rodri with the Portuguese being deployed as a No 10.
The 25-year-old claimed a clever assist by chipping a free-kick into the path of Anthony Martial for Manchester United’s opening goal.
Bruno Fernandes stole the show by claiming an inventive assist for Anthony Martial’s opener
Fernandes later clashed with Pep Guardiola on the touchline before shushing the City manager
During a break in play, the pair engage in a conversation after Guardiola threw the ball away
Fernandes then puts his finger to his lips in a shushing motion to tell the City boss to be quiet
Scott McTominay doubled his side’s lead in the closing stages to ensure United stayed three points within fourth-placed Chelsea.
Fernandes has made an instant impact in the red half of Manchester and his stock rose on Sunday when he was seen shushing Pep Guardiola.
He traded verbals with Guardiola on the touchline after the Spanish tactician threw the ball away before a Manchester United throw-in.
Fernandes responded by putting his finger to his lips and then waving his hand towards the ground.
