Manchester United target double transfer swoop on Manchester City this summer | OneFootball

Manchester City are bracing themselves for a raid from local rivals United on their esteemed youth academy system this summer.

The multi-million-pound production line established at the City Football Academy has naturally turned the club’s finest teenagers into high-priority targets for rivals looking to rebuild their own infrastructure.

Under the recruitment direction of their INEOS ownership, Manchester United are currently looking to target premium domestic prospects before those same players transition into professional contracts.

This strategy has sparked a scramble between the two local heavyweights, proving that the traditional balance of power within youth development across the North West is facing a combative summer window.

Manchester United look to raid Man City for youth stars

Now, according to MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Manchester United are attempting to recruit from Manchester City’s academy for two 16-year-old talents in England youth internationals Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim.

Parker, in particular, was recruited by City from West Ham United and featured for the club’s Under-18 side at just 15-years-old, operating in an advanced midfield role and attracting rival interest from Liverpool.

By forcefully entering the equation alongside the Merseyside giants, United are attempting to convince both teenagers that Carrington can offer a significantly clearer and faster pathway into senior football than Enzo Maresca’s set-up.

How will Man City react to a double exit?

Faced with a potential cross-town raid, Academy director Thomas Krucken and newly promoted Elite Development Squad coach Oliver Reiss will coordinate counter-proposals to convince the teenage duo to reject overtures in favour of a long-term future at the Etihad.

Simultaneously, Manchester City’s youth recruitment network will no doubt have mapped out contingency paths, advancing on other high-profile youth signatures to ensure the club’s academy remains insulated against exits.

Whether Hugo Viana and Krucken successfully execute a last-ditch contract resolution or watch the prodigies depart, the ongoing tug-of-war proves that the Manchester derby remains fierce at all levels of the sport.