• Premier League

Nasri swayed by City's hunger

ESPN staff
May 17, 2012
Samir Nasri was a key figure for Manchester City © Getty Images
Enlarge

Samir Nasri has revealed he agonised over whether to join Manchester United or Manchester City and was swayed by Roberto Mancini's greater desire.

Nasri was one of last summer's chief transfer stories when quitting Arsenal for City. It has proved to be a major success, with the Frenchman playing his part in Premier League glory, but he could easily have been pulling on the red shirt of United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a play for Nasri but Mancini was far more active in the transfer process and City's "hunger" swayed him towards Eastlands.

"I thought for a few months before making my decision, with my parents and my advisors," Nasri is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "Patrick's [Vieira - City's football development executive] argument was that United are used to winning everything.

"Last season they won the league title and got to the Champions League final and if you sign this season and you play less well, it won't have been a success for you. Whereas City is a club that's building, which has recruited smartly with the likes of Sergio Aguero, and if you win the title you'll be part of history.

"I weighed up the pros and cons, Roberto Mancini was calling me every day and I decided to go there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close