I was released by Man City - so I drove around the corner and signed for Manchester United

Few footballers would dare cross the divide between Manchester United and Manchester City.

There have been many people who have played football for both teams, but very few have ever made the direct switch between the two clubs - Denis Law and Carlos Tevez are the most notable for directly swapping red for sky blue - but for one young defender in 2012, that is exactly the brave decision he made.

It was deadline day. The summer transfer window was drawing to a close and Frederic Veseli decided it was time for a change, given he had no clear pathway to the first team on the blue side of Manchester.

READ MORE: 17-year-old academy striker spotted in training ahead of derby

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag has told Ineos how many new signings he needs

The promising defender had spent three-and-a-half successful years at City but he wanted to move to a club where there was a real opportunity to make it. He didn't have to look far.

"These days, Manchester City are chasing titles and major trophies," his former agent Adam Bouskouchi stated. "It is difficult for them to have faith in youth because they obviously feel experience is the best way for them to get where they want to go. But that attitude didn't help Freddie, who just felt like he wasn't progressing.

"Freddie spoke with several clubs, here and abroad. But he wants to be a top player in England, and when Sir Alex spoke to him, it made such an impression.

"He is a difficult man to say no to and his track record was enough for Freddie to feel he was making the right choice to join United."

United had already tried once to sign the highly-rated defender, but like many other top teams in Europe, were beaten to his signature by the Blues. City were huge admirers of the