Pep Guardiola preference might have inspired Erik ten Hag Manchester United transfer

Pep Guardiola wanted a new centre-back in 2018, and one who possessed a very specific quality. Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany and John Stones formed the heart of his defence at the time, but none of those players were left-footed.

The Spanish coach believed in a means of attacking which involved switching the play from one side of the pitch to the other. "Invite the opponent to press. You have the ball on one side to finish on the other," he said.

Fielding a left-footed centre-back would open up opportunities for Manchester City's attack. Not only would it aid build-up from the back, but it would allow the likes of Riyad Mahrez to benefit from one-on-one situations after being found by long diagonal passes.

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Aymeric Laporte was the man who was eventually identified as the club's top target, moving to the Etihad from Athletic Bilbao for a transfer fee of £57m.

"It’s so important to have a left-footed central defender," said Guardiola after the move was confirmed. "He helps us to make our build-up and when the ball comes from the right, he immediately controls to the left and plays it to Leroy [Sane] - that is quicker than we would play with a right-footer in that position."

Eighteen months later, Nathan Ake joined City from Bournemouth for £41m. Quality is undeniably important but in addition to that, the Dutch centre-back was another left-footed option.

Mikel Arteta was a part of Guardiola's journey in Manchester, operating as his assistant for a number of years. When he left to take over at Arsenal, he also