Four of the seven targets identified by Man United scouts made transfers to Man City

Manchester United reportedly overlooked the opportunity to sign seven players recommended by their former scouts - with four of them joining rivals Manchester City instead.

The list, compiled by former head scout Jim Lawlor and global head of scouting Marcel Bout, included Rodri, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Joao Cancelo, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Kai Havertz. The first four all went on to achieve major success under Pep Guardiola.

Lawlor, who joined United in 2006 during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, served as chief scout until the summer of 2022, when he departed to make way for Erik ten Hag. Bout, initially part of ex-head coach Louis van Gaal's coaching staff, became the global head of scouting in 2016 but also left the club alongside Lawlor.

This significant reshuffle was seen as a move to allow Ten Hag to mould his bench as he wished. However, the Dutchman was dismissed from managerial duties in October 2024, with Lawlor and Bout's advice on player recommendations seemingly disregarded, according to a 2022 report in GQ.

City capitalised on United's indecision, securing current Ballon d'Or winner Rodri for £62million in July 2019, followed by full-back Cancelo in a part-exchange deal for £60m a month later. The Citizens then signed Aston Villa captain Grealish for £100m in August 2021 and further strengthened their squad by bringing Haaland to Eastlands a year later, reports the Mirror.

Havertz joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a hefty £72m fee and won the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. He then made a high-profile switch to Arsenal in July 2023, where he's been spearheading their attack as the Gunners eye the Premier League trophy this season.

Former West Ham skipper Rice followed suit,