Legend's Shock Admission: Would Swap Manchester United for Rival's Shirt

A member of the legendary "Class of '92," who celebrated the historic treble under Sir Alex Ferguson, has openly admitted he would swap a Manchester United jersey for one from the Etihad Stadium in today's climate.

The former midfielder, who joined the United academy at just 14 years old, shocked the footballing public with his candor on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. According to Scholes, the current balance of power in the city is so clear-cut that a promising young player simply wouldn't hesitate.

"If me and Nicky (Butt) were players from another club now, and in the last five or ten years, Man United or Man City wanted to buy us, I think, whether you're a fan or not, we'd both choose Manchester City," Scholes stated.

"Probably because of the dynamic they had at the time, the way the club has been run in recent years, and the players they have."

The numbers from the last decade support the Salford native's assertion, though it's a bitter pill for "Red Devils" supporters to swallow. Since 2016, the City team has amassed a total of 21 trophies – 18 on the domestic scene, including six Premier League titles, and three internationally, highlighted by the Champions League. On the other side of the fence, United has secured only six trophies in the same period (five domestic cups and one Europa League triumph).

Even Scholes himself, who shone in the iconic lineup alongside Beckham, Giggs, Butt, and the Neville brothers, admits that delivering such a verdict was not easy.

"It pains me to say it. It's awful to say, but when you talk about a football career, you want to look at the medals you have on the table at the end of it," the legend added.

Although the Manchester native based his reflections on several hypotheses, his words sparked a wave of indignation and incomprehension among United fans. Hearing such open criticism of the club's state from a key figure of the Sir Alex Ferguson era is clear evidence of how far the iconic brand has fallen behind its city rival.