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Before 2008, Manchester City were just another mid-level club in the Premier League that often struggled to stay in the top-flight.
Things were so bad for them that many football fans didn't even know there were two Premier League clubs in Manchester. But all that changed at the start of the 2008/09 season when Sheikh Mansour took over Manchester City.
It has been 12 years since the takeover. During this period, Manchester City have risen to the top echelons of the Premier League. They have also gone on to appoint some of the biggest names in world football as well as sign some of the best footballing talents the world has to offer.
Manchester City have won four Premier League, two FA Cup and five League Cup titless since 2008. During this period, while several players have come and gone unnoticed, a few have managed to cement their legacy to become legends at the club.
On that note, here is a look at five Manchester City players who became legends after Sheikh Mansour's takeover.
Five Manchester City players who became legends after Sheikh Mansour's takeover:
#1: Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany joined Manchester City in August of 2008. Although he joined the club a few days before Sheikh Mansour's takeover, the former club captain went on to become one of the best players to ever play for Manchester City since then.
Kompany has been a central figure in the heart of the Manchester City defence and despite not making a lot of appearances in his final few years at the club, his role outside the pitch as a leader cannot be overstated.
The Belgian played a key role in everything Manchester City achieved in the last 12 years. His goals against arch-rivals Manchester United in the 2011-12 season and against Leicester City last season will forever be remembered by the club faithful.
Apart from the numerous trophies he won at Manchester City, he also bagged many individual honours. He was the Premier League Player of the season in 11-12 and was in the Premier League team of the season thrice.
Things could have been very different both for Manchester City and the Premier League had Kompany not joined them. But Kompany's 11 years at the club will always be remembered, and he will forever be a legend at Manchester City.
#2: Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure was a top player during his three years with Barcelona. So it was a huge surprise to everyone when the Ivorian decided to join Manchester City but things ended up working out perfectly for the midfielder.
In his eight years at the club, Toure went on to make 316 appearances and scored 79 goals and assisted 50. His importance in the Manchester City midfield is often not talked about enough.
Toure is probably one of the best midfielders to have ever graced the Premier League. His ability to move the ball forward, find passes, create chances as well as retreat to do his defensive duties makes him one of the most complete midfielders ever.
He continued his Barcelona success at Manchester City, winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups as well as numerous individual awards.
Toure remains, to date, the only player to be voted African Footballer of the Year four times in a row.
And although the end of his Manchester City stint was marred with the controversy involving Pep Guardiola, he will no doubt be considered a legend of Manchester City for his contributions to the club's cause.
#3: Fernandinho
Not a lot of people knew what to expect from Fernandinho when the Brazilian joined Manchester City from Shakhtar Donetsk. But after seven years at the Etihad Stadium, he established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League and probably in the world as well.
With current club captain David Silva set to leave Manchester City at the end of this season, Fernandinho is most likely next in line to wear the club's armband, which would only go to show his importance to the team.
Since moving to Manchester, Fernandinho has been a key figure in City's midfield. His versatility has been an added advantage to the club. At times people forget just how important Fernandinho is to Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola knows his worth. The City manager has described Fernandinho as the greatest player the club has seen in its entire history.
Fernandinho, most likely, just has one or two years left at Manchester City. But during his Manchester City stint of seven years and over 300 appearances, the Brazilian has definitely cemented himself as a legend of the club.
#4: Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is undeniably the greatest striker Manchester City have ever had. Some would argue that the Argentinian is also one of the best strikers to have ever played in the Premier League.
At 31, Aguero is still going strong, and if it wasn't for his injury he would very well have topped the goal-scoring charts again this season.
The Argentine has made 370 appearances for Manchester City and has scored over 250 goals. With a few more good years left in him, he could very well continue scoring a lot more goals for the club.
According to Pep Guardiola, Aguero is the second-best striker in the world behind his fellow Argentina forward Lionel Messi and that he would 'die' scoring goals.
Aguero is already a legend at Manchester City. His contract with the club ends in 2021. But looking at what he has achieved at City, he will definitely be looking to extend his stay and achieve a lot more before his career draws to a close.
#5: David Silva
After 10 years, 433 appearances, 77 goals, 140 assists, four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and three Community Shields, David Silva's time at Manchester City will finally come to end at the end of this season.
The Spaniard is probably the best player to have ever played for Manchester City and is one of the best creative midfielders to have played in the Premier League.
Since his English top-flight debut, Silva heads the charts with 92 assists and 790 chances created, which is more than of any other player during this period.
The Premier League and Manchester City are unlikely to find a player like him. After ten successful years at the club, it seems like the moment is ripe for him to call time on his career in Manchester, especially with Phil Foden waiting to replace him.
Silva is undoubtedly a legend of Manchester City, and no one can deny that. He will forever be remembered by the club faithful, and his exit will mark the impending end of a historic era at the Etihad Stadium. In a recent interview Silva said:
"For me, it has been perfect. When I arrived, I didn't think I would be here for so long. Besides football, trophies, everything, I will remember the love of the people, which is the most important thing."
