Karim Cassim completes unusual Man City to Man Utd move

Karim Cassim has completed the unusual journey from City to Manchester United after leaving City’s academy.

The 17-year-old midfielder has made the short move across Manchester to continue his development at United, having already played for City’s Under-18s and represented England at Under-17 level.

Cassim’s departure had been expected since the summer, when United were reported to be working on deals for both him and fellow City youngster David Eze. His move has now gone through following the necessary Premier League ratification.

Cassim crosses Manchester divide

A direct move between City and United will always catch the eye, even at academy level, and Cassim isn’t the only youngster to make that journey this year.

Eze has also left City for United as part of their recruitment of young players from leading academies, meaning two players have swapped the City Football Academy for Carrington in the space of a few months.

Cassim made his City Under-18 debut last season and was involved in their successful FA Youth Cup campaign. He came off the bench in the 4-1 semi-final victory over Blackburn Rovers and was an unused substitute when City beat United 2-1 in the final at the Joie Stadium in May.

He also started all three of England’s European Under-17 Championship qualifying matches against the Faroe Islands, Israel and Estonia in March.

Movement between the two Manchester academies isn’t unprecedented. Jack and Tyler Fletcher, the sons of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, left City for United in 2023, while Harrison Parker went in the opposite direction that summer.

Senior players crossing directly between the clubs remains a rarity, which makes the sight of a City youngster heading for United particularly noticeable.

At academy level, though, the battle for young players is rather less constrained by the rivalry. City have recruited heavily from other leading academies themselves, while Cassim and Eze have now chosen to continue their development on the other side of Manchester.

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