Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, finds themselves on the brink of joining an elite group of European teams by clinching the coveted Treble.
Should Manchester City emerge victorious against Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday, they will follow in the footsteps of their local rivals, Manchester United, becoming only the second English team to secure the Treble. It was Sir Alex Ferguson’s United that initially achieved this remarkable feat during the 1998-99 season, claiming the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
Drawing comparisons between the two sides, former Brighton striker Glenn Murray, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, stated, “Reluctantly, I admit that Manchester City’s current team surpasses the Treble-winning Manchester United side of 1999. As a child, I idolized that generation, believing their achievement would never be replicated.”
Murray continued, praising the formidable nature of Guardiola’s City team, saying, “This City team is lethal. They defeat opponents and swiftly move on. Unaffected by emotions, they are a machine built to win. Nothing fazes them. Once they confirm what most people already believe – that they are one of the greatest club sides in history – they will be able to sit back and savor their success.”
Do you concur with Murray’s assessment? Cast your vote below to create a combined XI from both the Manchester United Treble winners and Manchester City’s current Treble contenders, and share the results with your friends.
Contemplating Guardiola’s Second Treble
In 2019, Manchester City’s triumph in the Premier League secured them an unprecedented domestic treble, making them the first men’s English team to claim the league title along with both domestic cups.
While this accomplishment was undeniably impressive, many still consider winning the league title, FA Cup, and European Cup as the ultimate achievement.
Guardiola’s men are now just one match away from joining an elite group of only nine European teams who have achieved the illustrious Treble.
City’s destiny in Istanbul awaits them, 14 years after Guardiola steered Barcelona to the Treble in his inaugural season as a top-flight manager in 2008-09.
Celtic remains the sole team to have secured the Quadruple, including a League Cup victory, back in 1966-67. Other Treble winners include Ajax in 1972, PSV Eindhoven in 1988, Inter Milan in 2010, Bayern Munich in 2013 and 2020, and Barcelona in 2015.
Do you believe this current City side surpasses Guardiola’s triumphant Barcelona squad from 2009? Choose your preferred combined XI below.
Craft your Ideal Pep Guardiola XI
Construct your combined XI by selecting players from Guardiola’s 2009 Treble winners and this season’s Manchester City Treble contenders.
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1 comment
City think they’re all that, but they gotta prove it on the biggest stage. United’s ’99 Treble squad was legendary, no doubt. Let’s see if City can match up. #TrebleWinnersForever