Former Manchester United striker Jordi Cruyff believes the world's top players would now prefer to join Manchester City.

Cruyff, 44, joined United from Barca — the club built in his father Johan's image — in 1996 when they were the dominant force in England.

He said, "Like other players at the time, I did not need to think twice about whether I would join United or City. Just like Barca, United were irresistible in those years.

“With everything that is happening and developments at City, it is no longer an automatic choice for players to choose United, and that is an even bigger concern.

“United was not just a beautiful football club, it also followed up the football I was used to.

“Home or away, United had a playing style, youth players and a winning mentality which was clear to everyone in the club.

“If Barcelona have one bad year, they would still not finish any lower than 3rd in La Liga. That should be the case at Man United, but sadly it is not."