Manchester City supporters have wasted little time reacting to the story of Elliot Anderson’s response to Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.
Anderson was at the centre of one of the summer’s biggest transfer battles after both Manchester clubs showed serious interest in the midfielder.
In the end, the England international chose Manchester City.
Now, a story from Giggs has given City supporters another reason to celebrate that decision.
The Manchester United legend revealed that he tried to persuade Anderson to join his former club during an encounter on a golf course in Portugal.
According to Giggs, however, Anderson eventually became so frustrated by his attempts that he delivered a brutally simple response:
“Will you just leave me alone? Will you just let me play my golf, please?!”
The story quickly caught the attention of Manchester City supporters.
One fan summed up the mood perfectly:
“We don’t need him, we’ll meet him on Sunday.”
That reaction was accompanied by significant engagement, showing just how much City supporters are enjoying the story ahead of the Manchester derby.
Anderson chose City despite Manchester United interest
Anderson’s decision to join Manchester City was particularly significant because Manchester United had made him one of their main targets.
The midfielder had enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Nottingham Forest, making 50 appearances in all competitions and starting 37 Premier League matches.
United’s interest followed his impressive season.
City eventually entered the race and pushed aggressively to secure his signature.
After negotiations involving both clubs, Anderson ultimately completed a £116 million move to the Etihad Stadium in July.
For City fans, the fact that Anderson rejected United makes the Giggs story even more entertaining.
The midfielder did not simply choose another club.
He chose Manchester City over their biggest local rivals.
And now he could have the perfect opportunity to remind United supporters of that decision.
“We don’t need him, we’ll meet him on Sunday”
The reaction from bigice🦉🇬🇭🇮🇹 captured exactly what many City supporters will be thinking.
“We don’t need him, we’ll meet him on Sunday.”
The timing could hardly be better.
Anderson is expected to return to the starting lineup when Manchester City face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
He came off the bench during City’s Champions League victory over Porto, but the report states that he is expected to start against United.
That makes the story much more than a funny transfer anecdote.
It could become part of the build-up to the derby itself.
Anderson has already chosen City.
Now he has the chance to demonstrate why.
City fans enjoy the irony
Another reaction came from Ronan, who wrote:
“Not the first person to say that to him, they’re usually the opposite sex though.”
The joke quickly added another layer to the discussion.
Manchester derbies are rarely short of banter, and Anderson’s decision to reject United provides City supporters with fresh material.
For a player who has only recently arrived at the Etihad, he is already becoming involved in one of the biggest narratives surrounding the fixture.
The midfielder has not even played his first Manchester derby yet, but supporters are already talking about his decision to choose City over United.
That says plenty about the importance of his transfer.
Anderson’s own version is even more straightforward
Anderson has also spoken about the encounter himself.
The City midfielder explained that he was golfing in Portugal when he met several former Manchester United players.
His version of events was considerably more understated than Giggs’ story.
Anderson said he simply had a decision to make and chose Manchester City.
When asked whether Giggs and Phil Bardsley ever came close to persuading him to join United, Anderson’s answer was simply:
“No.”
That response will only make the story more enjoyable for City supporters.
There was no dramatic hesitation.
There was no suggestion that Anderson was seriously considering United.
He made his choice.
Manchester City.
“Good riddance” from a United fan
The reaction from Viva United was equally revealing.
The account responded:
“Good riddance.”
That is exactly the kind of reaction that demonstrates how quickly transfer decisions can become part of football rivalry.
For United supporters, Anderson is now the player who chose their neighbours.
For City supporters, he is the £116 million midfielder who rejected Old Trafford and joined Maresca’s project instead.
The derby gives him an immediate opportunity to write another chapter.
Anderson has already made an impression at City
The excitement surrounding Anderson is not based purely on the transfer fee.
The midfielder has already made a strong start to life at Manchester City.
The report notes that he has featured in every City game this season so far.
That is important.
Maresca clearly trusts him.
Anderson was brought in as one of the major pieces of City’s summer rebuild, and his performances have already suggested why the club were willing to invest so heavily.
City lost several experienced players during the summer, including Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
The club therefore needed players capable of taking responsibility quickly.
Anderson appears to be one of those players.
The derby will tell City fans even more
Sunday’s Manchester derby now carries an additional storyline.
Anderson will not only be playing against Manchester United.
He will be playing against the club that wanted him.
He will be playing at the stadium where he could have been wearing red.
Instead, he will walk into Old Trafford wearing Manchester City’s colours.
That alone will create plenty of attention.
But Anderson will need to keep his focus on football.
The jokes about Giggs are entertaining, but the real test comes on the pitch.
A strong performance against United would make the story even sweeter for City supporters.
“Leave me alone” becomes perfect derby ammunition
The phrase has already become the headline.
“Leave me alone.”
It is short.
It is funny.
And in the context of Manchester City versus Manchester United, it is almost tailor-made for social media.
City supporters have embraced it because it represents the midfielder’s apparent unwillingness to be persuaded by United.
Anderson had a choice.
He chose City.
Now, just days after the story emerged, he is expected to face United at Old Trafford.
The timing could not be better.
City fans want Anderson to finish the story on the pitch
The reaction from Manchester City supporters shows that they are thoroughly enjoying the situation.
Some laughed.
Others mocked United.
One fan insisted City did not need anything from United and simply looked forward to meeting them on Sunday.
The most important part, however, is what Anderson does next.
The 23-year-old has already made his decision off the pitch.
Now he has the opportunity to make another statement on it.
A commanding performance in the Manchester derby would give City fans even more reason to celebrate his choice.
For Maresca, Anderson’s presence could be equally important.
The manager has inherited a squad undergoing significant change, and the former Forest midfielder is becoming an increasingly important part of the new Manchester City midfield.
The derby will provide another test.
For Anderson, it could also be personal.
Ryan Giggs tried to convince him to join Manchester United.
Anderson said no.
He chose Manchester City.
Now, with the midfielder expected to start at Old Trafford, City fans have already delivered their verdict.
They are not interested in what might have happened.
They are simply waiting for Sunday.
And if Anderson produces a big performance against United, that simple message from his golf game could become the perfect Manchester derby punchline:
“Leave me alone.”
