I tried to convince him to join Man City but he choosed Manchester United…Maybe he doesn’t want to win trophies next season”: Phil Foden confirms star player rejected Man City and joined Manchester United

Manchester City star Phil Foden has publicly voiced his disappointment over his close friend and England international teammate, Jarrad Branthwaite, opting to join Manchester United instead of Manchester City. The talented defender, who has been a rising star in the Premier League, recently made headlines with his decision to sign with Manchester United, a move that has left many surprised, including Foden.

Foden, who has become one of the cornerstones of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, revealed in an interview that he personally tried to convince Branthwaite to join City, citing their continued success and trophy-winning pedigree as reasons why his friend should have made the switch to the Etihad.

“I told him to come to Manchester City,” Foden said. “We’ve been dominating in England and Europe, and I thought it would be an easy choice for him. But he said he wanted Manchester United, even after seeing their recent struggles and trophy crises. It was disappointing, especially since we’re close, but he made his choice.”

Branthwaite’s decision has raised eyebrows, especially given Manchester United’s inconsistent performances in recent seasons. The Red Devils have struggled to replicate their former glory, with a lack of silverware becoming a recurring theme for the club, in contrast to their “noisy neighbors” who have been flourishing under Guardiola’s management. Despite this, Branthwaite’s desire to be part of United’s rebuilding project appeared to outweigh Foden’s persuasive efforts.

Foden also hinted that while their friendship remains intact, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated by Branthwaite’s decision. “I thought playing alongside him at City would have been perfect. I know what he can bring to a team, and I wanted to be part of that with him. But I respect his decision. I just hope he knows what he’s getting into.”

Branthwaite, who has shown promise with impressive performances for Everton, is seen as a future leader in defense, and his choice to join United signals the club’s intentions to rejuvenate their squad. However, with Manchester United’s recent history of managerial instability and squad inconsistency, Foden’s frustration highlights the growing gap between the two Manchester clubs.

City, under Guardiola, has secured multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and their long-awaited Champions League triumph, further establishing themselves as one of the top footballing forces in the world. United, on the other hand, has been searching for a consistent formula to return to the top since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

In the end, despite the friendly advice from Foden, Branthwaite has chosen the red side of Manchester. Fans and pundits alike will watch closely to see how this decision plays out for both the young defender and the clubs involved.

As for Foden, his focus remains on continuing City’s dominance on the pitch, while perhaps quietly hoping his friend might one day reconsider and join him at the Etihad.