Usually, it is the other way round. Manchester City flirt with a signing only for United to earwig and make the proposal.
Alexis Sanchez, Fred, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo all had their heads turned and changed course from the Etihad to Old Trafford. It has happened so often and ended so abruptly or acrimoniously you have to wonder if City have done it purposely.
With Kalvin Phillips, the boot is on the other foot. "He's not injured. He arrived overweight," Pep Guardiola said of Phillips on Thursday night. "I don't know [why]. He didn't arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play."