Cherki's Revenge Plot: Star Player Sends Bold Warning to Manchester United

Rayan Cherki is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to help Manchester City exact revenge on Manchester United in the upcoming season.

City has been proactive ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, securing four new players, including Cherki, during the first of two summer transfer windows. The young forward finalized a £30.9 million ($41.7 million) transfer from Lyon to Pep Guardiola's squad, signing a five-year contract with the eight-time Premier League title holders.

While Cherki is likely to make his first appearance for City this summer during their United States tour, he's particularly looking forward to facing his new club's biggest adversaries.

"I didn't like it when Manchester United won the game versus Lyon because I am Lyonnais," Cherki said. "And now I wait for the game [against United] to kill them."

Manchester United knocked Cherki and Lyon out of the 2024–25 Europa League quarterfinals. The Red Devils mounted an impressive comeback in the second leg at Old Trafford to progress to the semifinals with a 7–6 aggregate victory. Despite Cherki scoring twice across both matches, it wasn't sufficient to overcome Ruben Amorim's team.

Cherki won't have to wait long for his chance at retribution. He will face Manchester United twice in the upcoming Premier League season and hopes to help Manchester City return to winning ways against their local rivals; Guardiola's side failed to defeat their bitter opponents during the 2024–25 campaign despite the Red Devils' struggles with form.

However, before experiencing the Manchester derby, Cherki is concentrating on enhancing his abilities under Guardiola's guidance this summer.

"I think I had the best season of my career, managed to make people talk only about good things: my passes, dribbling," Cherki said. "I'm satisfied with my season, even if I can do 18 times better.

"Today my only desire is to be on the pitch. I think I took a step forward in all aspects: my efficiency, defensive work, efforts without the ball."

Cherki is coming off his most productive season at Lyon, where he tallied 12 goals and provided 20 assists across all competitions for the French club. The 21-year-old was considered one of the most promising young transfer targets this summer, but Manchester City was always his preferred destination.

"[Guardiola] was very, very clear: the system, the club, the city is very good. I want to win and I think Manchester City wants to win it all and, for me, that's better."