Former Manchester City fullback Danny Mills believes his old club is capable of buying Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Mills thinks United could cash in sooner rather than later in order to reduce their debt mountain, although cash-rich neighbours City are only one of two clubs who could possibly match the asking price.
City have already snapped up ex-United forward Carlos Tevez, who is a firm fans' favourite at Eastlands, and Mills believes Rooney could galvanise his form once again alongside his former team-mate.
"He brought him on with 20 minutes to go and when Rooney came on he looked poor," Mills told Sky Sports News Radio.
"We've seen it before with David Beckham and Roy Keane. If you cross Alex Ferguson eventually you are shown the door. It's always been proved that no one player is bigger than Manchester United, however big a player you are.
"Rumours are rife that Rooney's contract talks have been put on hold, which is possibly understandable. Whether that's because of a row with Sir Alex or whether that's just his personal life and he wants to get other things sorted.
"There are rumours he could be leaving United in January. They will look to cash in for around £50million, which would reduce the debt at the club.
"How can you replace Wayne Rooney? I think what will be very difficult is where can you sell him to? You have to look at the clubs with money and instantly their biggest rivals Manchester City.
"There was the Carlos Tevez affair. Emmanuel Adebayor is not the flavour of the month and no doubt that if Rooney was available they have the funds. It means he wouldn't have to move. It would upset a lot of United fans, but it would be a fantastic coup for City. United, Rooney and Tevez had played so well together in the past. Who knows?
"Unless it gets sorted out very, very quickly and Rooney signs a new deal I think this is the beginning of the end. The other team he could go to would be Real Madrid. Mourinho is a big fan.
"Would it suit Rooney better? Quite possibly. Going abroad, getting away from the media attention and the press speculation that surrounds him in England.
"I'd watch this space very, very carefully. The way developments are going there are obviously problems at United. It looks at the moment that United are more likely to get rid of Rooney than he's likely to stay."
