Ryan Giggs attempted to persuade a Manchester City player to swap the Etihad for Old Trafford, according to reports. The Manchester United legend made the approach at some point, and INEOS have now been urged to revisit the idea.
The identity of the player in question is not disclosed in the source material, nor is the timing of Giggs' intervention. What is clear is that a City star was the target of a United charm offensive led by one of the club's most decorated former players.
A familiar Old Trafford tactic
It is not the first time United have looked enviously across the city. The club's recent history is littered with attempts to close the gap, though few have involved a legend of Giggs' stature acting as intermediary.
INEOS, now calling the shots at Old Trafford, have been told to target the player again. The suggestion implies the original attempt did not succeed — hardly a surprise given City's recent dominance and the pull of Pep Guardiola's project.
For City, the story is little more than noise. The Blues have grown accustomed to their players being linked with moves away, particularly to a rival that has spent the past decade trying to recapture former glories.
Whether INEOS act on the advice remains to be seen. What is certain is that any attempt to prise a key man from the Etihad will be met with the same resistance Giggs encountered.