‘Man City released me – I got my stuff and drove round the corner to sign for Man Utd’
Frederic Veseli’s story of crossing the fierce Manchester rivalry from City to United is an intriguing one. After spending three years at Manchester City, Veseli, a promising young defender at the time, was looking for opportunities to further his career. Despite City’s desire to renew his contract under Roberto Mancini, Veseli was frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities and clear development pathways.
During a reserve game against Manchester United, Veseli’s performance caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, it wasn’t until a chance encounter with United’s assistant coach, Rene Meulensteen, that things took a more concrete turn. After discussing his future, Veseli found himself in a unique position. When City’s football administrator, Brian Marwood, made it clear that players unhappy with their situation could leave, Veseli was released from his contract.
What followed was a surprising move. Veseli drove to City’s training ground, gathered his belongings, and then, without informing anyone, signed for Manchester United the very next day. This switch stunned many at City, including Mancini, who couldn’t believe Veseli was joining their bitter rivals. Although Veseli’s time at United didn’t lead to a major breakthrough in the first team, the story of his direct switch between the two Manchester giants remains a rare and remarkable one.
