With both sides going through a purple patch of form in the Premier League - Manchester City seemingly choosing to ignore that there was an off-season by attempting to smash every record pretty much going - the news that one star was said to switching allegiances from the blue side of Manchester to perennial rivals United could have taken the wind out of one sails, whilst blowing a billowing gust into the other.
As reported last week by The Sportsman, the young Blue winger Leroy Sane was linked with a shock, unprecedented move to Old Trafford, after being said to be discontent with Riyad Mahrez’ arrival this summer and subsequent rise through the ranks.
A cautious start to the season by both player and manager Pep Guardiola, combined with the backdrop of having been omitted from the Germany national team squad Joachim Low selected to take to Russia for their World Cup campaign.
The odds were subsequently slashed to 7/2 by Ladbrokes on the 22-year-old making the move across town after starting just three times in the Cityzens first 10 Premier League matches.
The incumbent PFA Young Player of the Year is contracted to City until the end of the 2020/21 season and is in the midst of uncertain contract talks.
However, Sane has now laughed off the rumours, after responding not only with a scintillating performance for the current Premier League champions on the pitch in their recent rout of Southampton but also in an interview with the Manchester Evening News;
“That won’t happen!
“That won’t happen at all. I am really happy here and I’m on the right side!
“I always enjoy myself. To play with these players under this coach is a really good feeling and everyone can see we enjoy it all together, playing with each other.
“It’s fun to play with this team.”
The comments will be welcome news to at least one half of the city, and fans responded emphatically on social media on the eve of the first Manchester Derby of the season;
@Jay37359171 was of the belief that Sane had ‘rinsed’ United, whilst @CallumBeswick couldn’t miss having a pop at the fact that ‘(Utd) signed Martial we signed Leroy sane’, with the Frenchman widely regarded to have so far lived up to his price-tag for the Red Devils.
One commenter (happy housewife) displayed her happiness at the news by making the the startling claim that
‘Sane is a better player than Neymar’
whereas Citysoulboy questioned the timing the article broke:
‘This Leroy Sane story would have been great on april 1st at least you could have thought they were trying to be funny!’
*90 seconds later*
Leroy Sane puts Man City ahead.
Business as usual!
#MCFC
