The Ultimate Irony, City's agressive recruitment upsets RAGs
Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:26 pmhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... paign=1490
Coaches at Manchester United considered boycotting youth level matches against Manchester City, as their relationship with their neighbours sours.
Sportsmail understands staff at Old Trafford are concerned over what they believe as an overly aggressive recruitment drive from their counterparts across the city.
While they have not submitted an official complaint to the Premier League, they are thought to have discussed the option of refusing to play against City's youth teams with a number of other clubs in the region.
Earlier this month, when the Manchester clubs' youth sections faced each other, City won every fixture apart from one, which was drawn.
In the Under 14s clash, City's youngsters triumphed 9-0, while their Under 15s began the season with a 6-0 victory over Liverpool.
United, who initially made their concerns known to City a year ago, are also thought to be unhappy with their rival's interest in a number of their own players.
Their attitude, however, is understood to have caused bemusement at City, who privately see the complaints as churlish.
They believe that the package they offer is unrivalled and are confident that they have done nothing wrong.
Since the Abu Dhabi takeover seven years ago, vast resources have been poured into ensuring their City Football Academy is one of the best in the world.
In 2014, City opened the £200m sprawling training complex where 185 youngsters are put through their paces.
Parents of children the club wish to sign are often given tours of the facility which includes classrooms, parents rooms and playrooms and activities for the brothers and sisters to use while their siblings are training
While they are yet to see the fruits of their labour with a number of homegrown youngsters making the breakthrough to the first team, City believe they can show parents a clear pathway to the top.
They also promote a commitment to the attacking football played by Manuel Pellegrini's side at all age levels.
Another key factor in attracting youngsters is thought to be City's partnership with top Manchester school St Bede's. According to the club's last annual report they had 68 pupils at the Whalley Range school
In 2014 the first batch of City scholars sat their GCSEs at St Bede's and the pass rate for the group was 10 points above the national average at 79%.
If youngsters are released by City they remain at the school to complete their education.
That a number of ex-United players including Robin van Persie, Phil Neville and Darren Fletcher had their children at City would seem to suggest that the club is viewed as offering a more attractive option.
Both United and City declined to comment on the matter
Coaches at Manchester United considered boycotting youth level matches against Manchester City, as their relationship with their neighbours sours.
Sportsmail understands staff at Old Trafford are concerned over what they believe as an overly aggressive recruitment drive from their counterparts across the city.
While they have not submitted an official complaint to the Premier League, they are thought to have discussed the option of refusing to play against City's youth teams with a number of other clubs in the region.
Earlier this month, when the Manchester clubs' youth sections faced each other, City won every fixture apart from one, which was drawn.
In the Under 14s clash, City's youngsters triumphed 9-0, while their Under 15s began the season with a 6-0 victory over Liverpool.
United, who initially made their concerns known to City a year ago, are also thought to be unhappy with their rival's interest in a number of their own players.
Their attitude, however, is understood to have caused bemusement at City, who privately see the complaints as churlish.
They believe that the package they offer is unrivalled and are confident that they have done nothing wrong.
Since the Abu Dhabi takeover seven years ago, vast resources have been poured into ensuring their City Football Academy is one of the best in the world.
In 2014, City opened the £200m sprawling training complex where 185 youngsters are put through their paces.
Parents of children the club wish to sign are often given tours of the facility which includes classrooms, parents rooms and playrooms and activities for the brothers and sisters to use while their siblings are training
While they are yet to see the fruits of their labour with a number of homegrown youngsters making the breakthrough to the first team, City believe they can show parents a clear pathway to the top.
They also promote a commitment to the attacking football played by Manuel Pellegrini's side at all age levels.
Another key factor in attracting youngsters is thought to be City's partnership with top Manchester school St Bede's. According to the club's last annual report they had 68 pupils at the Whalley Range school
In 2014 the first batch of City scholars sat their GCSEs at St Bede's and the pass rate for the group was 10 points above the national average at 79%.
If youngsters are released by City they remain at the school to complete their education.
That a number of ex-United players including Robin van Persie, Phil Neville and Darren Fletcher had their children at City would seem to suggest that the club is viewed as offering a more attractive option.
Both United and City declined to comment on the matter