Rumour: Yaya Toure turns down cross-town move to Manchester United

Yaya Toure: Staying put at The Etihad

Manchester City’s Ivory Coast star Yaya Toure has reportedly rebuffed a chance to join cross town rivals Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.

There has been a feeling of uneasiness between City and its star midfielder ever since the squad’s end of season trip to Abu Dhabi. The player’s agent had come out saying that the player felt unloved from the club hierarchy after no one from the Premier League champions had reportedly wished him happy birthday, in spite of the club presenting him with a cake on the flight to the Middle-East.

The relation was further strained when Toure claimed that the Citizens hadn’t allowed the star to leave training camp to tend to a dying brother. The Premier League champions, however, came out in the press firmly stating that the Ivorian had never asked for any compassionate leave, which the club, they say never denies to any member of their staff or footballing squad.

With Manchester United looking to bolster their midfield under new boss Louis van Gaal, the name of Yaya Toure along with the likes of Arturo Vidal has been mentioned in terms of arrivals at Old Trafford.

However, Yaya Toure moved quickly to allay fears of any departure from the Etihad. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Toure said: “They’ve (Manchester City) always been good with me and my family. I want to say [to the fans] that I will always honour my contract and stay as long as possible and don’t think about all the speculation they’ve seen saying I’ll be leaving.

"I think of what the fans have done for me, and the club as well, it’s a big pleasure to stay and continue and try to enjoy the next season.

“There are more important things than money because sometimes in life it’s been to be in a good way and healthy. That aspect is very important. The team is preparing well and we’ll try to win again next year.”