Transfer Twist – Man Utd linked with shocking move for Man City star

Nicky Butt comments on the prospects of Bernardo Silva switching from Manchester City to Manchester United

Manchester United fans hoping for a blockbuster summer arrival from across the road were dealt a reality check this week. Nicky Butt has flatly dismissed the idea of Bernardo Silva pulling a Carlos Tevez and switching Manchester City for United.

Speaking to Paddy Power, the former United midfielder insisted that Silva’s deep-seated respect for the blue half of the city effectively kills any chance of a move to Old Trafford. Silva has already confirmed he’ll be leaving City on a free transfer this summer, ending a trophy-laden nine-year stint under Pep Guardiola. However, Butt is convinced that loyalty will stop the Portuguese international from ever crossing the Manchester divide.

Butt’s verdict came with genuine admiration and blunt realism. He told the betting firm that Silva is the kind of player any club would be lucky to have, describing him as a phenomenal talent and a seemingly likeable guy. But the Class of ’92 legend was adamant: at 31, Silva isn’t going to tarnish his Etihad legacy by joining United.

After winning a mountain of Premier League titles and the Champions League, Silva simply holds too much affection for City to entertain the move. Beyond the rivalry, Butt also questioned the tactical fit. With Bruno Fernandes already running the show in a similar creative role, he pointed out that the two might actually get in each other’s way rather than help the team.

“He’s a player that everyone would like,” Butt said. “He looks like a likeable team-mate that everyone loves. He’s a phenomenal, phenomenal footballer. Looks like a really good human being as well.”

“Any football club in the world that wants someone like that on their books, it’ll never happen, coming to Man Utd. He’s got too much respect for Man City to do that. I don’t even think he’d fit into the system of Man Utd’s play. And with Bruno in his position, you can’t play them both in the same team, can you?” (Via GOAL)

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How has he performed in the 2025/26 season?

These comments come as the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign enters its final phase. So far, Silva has put up two goals and four assists over 2,515 minutes of action. His average FotMob rating sits at a solid 7.19, though he has picked up nine yellow cards along the way.

Even now, his influence is obvious through his vision and the way he keeps the ball under pressure. While he can still struggle in physical 50/50s or aerial duels due to his slight frame, his technical quality is what has made City dominate for so long. Since early April, when Pep Lijnders and Silva himself confirmed his exit, links to Spain, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia have been flying around. But as far as Butt is concerned, Manchester United isn’t even a conversation.

The rivalry between the two clubs makes direct transfers both rare and incredibly volatile. Fans still talk about Tevez moving to City over a decade ago, but Butt doesn’t see a sequel here. Silva’s character and commitment to his current badge set him apart; he’s set to leave City as a club icon who always put the team ahead of personal headlines.

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Scorzo’s opinion:

The reality is that while Silva is an elite technician, his style is tailor-made for City’s system rather than United’s often more direct approach. Moving to Old Trafford would likely disrupt the balance around Bruno Fernandes without adding much fresh energy at this stage of his career. Manchester United are better off looking elsewhere for new blood rather than chasing an impossible target from their neighbours. Loyalty like Silva’s is rare, and in this case, it pretty much slams the door on the rumours.