I was released by Man City – so I drove down the road and signed for United

There aren't many individuals that can say they've been on the books of both Manchester City and Manchester United

Frederic Veseli was still a teenager when he joined an exclusive club that includes the likes of Denis Law and Carlos Tevez as members.

Just 19 years old at the time, Veseli was rubbing shoulders with the likes of Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and David Silva at Manchester City, but he found first-team opportunities at the Etihad Stadium hard to come by.

After three-and-a-half years and not yet having made a first-team appearance, Veseli made the decision to leave. His next destination was not only a surprising one, but also close by too.

Despite Roberto Mancini wanting Veseli to sign a new contract, the desire to progress his football career led him to sign for Manchester United, with Sir Alex Ferguson playing a key role in the defender's decision.

Veseli's former agent Adam Bouskouchi previously said: "These days, Manchester City are chasing titles and major trophies. It is difficult for them to have faith in youth because they obviously feel experience is the best way for them to get where they want to go.

"But that attitude didn't help Freddie, who just felt like he wasn't progressing. Freddie spoke with several clubs, here and abroad. But he wants to be a top player in England.

"When Sir Alex spoke to him, it made such an impression. He is a difficult man to say no to and his track record was enough for Freddie to feel he was making the right choice to join United."

Veseli continued playing for City's reserve side during the final year of his contract while negotiations took place, with Ferguson attending one of his games. "We could never agree terms," the 33-year-old said.

"Mancini would ask me all the time what was happening. I carried on playing. I played against United’s reserves who had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager. United had a lot of first-teamers, we had reserves only and we drew 1-1. Fergie was there watching. I had a really good game."

However, it was before the legendary Scotsman's initial intervention that the wheels started to turn on a potential move to United. It was a chance encounter with then-United assistant Rene Meulensteen at a pub while Veseli was picking up his girlfriend that the pair discussed his situation at City.

Veseli explained: "Mancini was disappointed and was always asking me to renew. I didn’t know what to say to him. My contract was up and City released me and signed a paper saying I could leave on a free.

"The next day, I drove to City’s training ground at Carrington to collect my stuff. I didn’t tell anybody what I was going to do next. I told the gaffer that I was leaving the club.

"He asked me where I was going. I told him: 'United'. He couldn’t believe it, but he had to take training. He wished me good luck."

Veseli only spent a season at Old Trafford and failed to make a first-team appearance before he was released in the summer of 2013. After stints at Ipswich Town, Bury, Port Vale and Lugano, he joined Italian side Empoli, where he spent the next four years of his career.

Having played for five clubs in five years, Veseli now plays for Serie B side Sudtirol. The two Manchester clubs, meanwhile, meet at Old Trafford on Saturday, with City aiming to do the double over their rivals having beat them 3-0 at the Etihad earlier this season.