Pep Guardiola once identified Marcus Rashford as the Manchester United player he would most like to sign for Manchester City, according to United legend Ryan Giggs.
Giggs revealed the previously little-known conversation on the September 9, 2026 episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, recalling a dinner involving himself, Guardiola and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson approximately eight or nine years ago.
During the conversation, Giggs asked Guardiola which Manchester United player he admired most. The former City manager, according to Giggs, selected Rashford and indicated that he would take the forward immediately.
The revelation provides fresh insight into Guardiola’s assessment of Rashford during the early stages of the England international’s career, when he was establishing himself as one of United’s most exciting young attackers.
According to Giggs, the conversation took place when Rashford was primarily operating as a centre-forward for United.
The former Wales international said he initially suggested David de Gea and Luke Shaw when Guardiola was asked which United player he liked.
Guardiola rejected both suggestions before naming Rashford.
Giggs said the response surprised him because he wanted to understand what Guardiola had seen in the young forward that made him stand out above established United players.
The story was included in a wider discussion about Manchester United, Rashford’s return to Old Trafford and the club’s recruitment.
The original conversation reportedly happened years before Rashford’s career experienced its later fluctuations, making Guardiola’s assessment particularly noteworthy.
The Rio Ferdinand Presents episode was released on September 9 and also featured Giggs discussing Rashford’s relationship with United supporters, young players at the club and his unsuccessful attempt to persuade Elliot Anderson to choose United over Manchester City.
Rashford’s trajectory since Guardiola’s reported assessment has been considerably more complicated.
The forward broke into United’s senior team in 2016 and quickly became an important attacking player. His most prolific campaign came in 2022/23, when he scored 30 goals across competitions.
His form later declined, however, and he eventually fell out of favour under former United manager Ruben Amorim.
Rashford subsequently spent time away from Old Trafford, including a loan spell at Barcelona during the 2025/26 season. He returned to Manchester United after Barcelona opted against making the move permanent.
His current situation represents another opportunity to revive the career that once made him one of Europe’s most highly regarded young forwards.
The 28-year-old is now part of Michael Carrick’s Manchester United squad and has been given a prominent role in the team’s attack.
Rashford started United’s recent Premier League meeting with Everton on September 6. He caused problems on the left side and helped create opportunities before leaving the match in the 70th minute. United eventually drew 2-2 after Everton scored a stoppage-time equaliser.
Carrick later played down concerns surrounding Rashford’s withdrawal, describing the issue as nothing major.
His involvement is significant as United prepare for a demanding run of fixtures that includes their Champions League campaign and the Manchester derby.
Guardiola never actually managed Rashford at Manchester City, meaning Giggs’ account describes an expression of admiration rather than a confirmed transfer attempt.
There is also no evidence from the account that Manchester City formally approached United for the forward.
That distinction matters. The story is about Guardiola’s personal assessment of Rashford’s ability at the time, not evidence that a completed transfer was close.
The possibility of Rashford crossing the Manchester divide would nevertheless have been extraordinary.
A move from United to City would have placed one of Old Trafford’s academy graduates directly into the squad of their fiercest local rivals.
Instead, Rashford remained at United and went on to make himself one of the club’s most recognisable modern academy products.
The timing of Giggs’ revelation adds another layer to Rashford’s current situation.
After his difficult period at United and his successful spell in Spain, he must now convince Carrick that he can consistently reproduce the pace, direct running and finishing that once made Guardiola reportedly regard him as United’s standout player.
Recent evidence has been encouraging. Rashford has featured regularly since his return and looked dangerous during United’s draw at Everton.
His immediate priorities include:
- Establishing himself as a regular starter.
- Building chemistry with United’s new attacking options.
- Producing consistent goals and assists.
- Rebuilding his relationship with supporters.
- Helping United compete domestically and in Europe.
The Manchester derby next weekend could provide another major test.
Guardiola’s reported assessment is ultimately a reminder of the level Rashford once reached in the eyes of one of football’s most influential managers.
Whether he can return permanently to that level remains one of the significant questions surrounding Manchester United this season.
For now, Rashford has another opportunity at Old Trafford — and the latest comments from Giggs provide an intriguing reminder that his talent was once viewed highly enough by Guardiola to make him a potential target for the blue half of Manchester.
