Can ANYONE derail the Man City bullet train? Mail Sport experts gives verdict
Manchester City have enjoyed great success in the modern era, but they could be going for their greatest achievement of all.
Pep Guardiola’s side have 12 games left to write their greatest piece of history as they can win the Treble, comprising the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
A win over Arsenal on Wednesday would put them at the wheel of the title race as they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup and take on Real Madrid in a rematch of last season’s Champions League semi-finals .
Given their current ruthless form in all competitions, it will be a tall order to derail Guardiola’s bullet train.
As City steams towards the Treble at high speed, Mail Sport pundits ask if anyone or anything can get them off the field, comparing this effort to United’s hat-trick in 1999.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still 12 games away from making history as they could secure a famous Treble
Mail Sport’s pundits give their verdict on whether anyone can stop Man City and how a potential Treble would compare to Manchester United’s 1999 hat-trick (pictured)
CHRIS SUTTON
Will Manchester City win the Treble? Yes. They win 3-1 against Arsenal on Wednesday and do not look back in the Premier League.
They will dominate Manchester United in the FA Cup final. And I don’t see Real Madrid or any of the Milan teams derailing this Guardiola express train in the Champions League, to use Oliver Holt’s phrase from his Sunday match report.
The only problem would be if the injuries pile up, or if Guardiola tinkers too much, as he tends to do.
But it all clicks for them and as much as I’d like to see Arsenal champions so we can experience something new, the Treble beckons for the 2022-23 City league.
Nevertheless, I still think the 1998-99 Manchester United team is the best in the Premier League era. That was in my last season at Blackburn when injuries held me back.
I didn’t really like United, but I still marveled at their majesty. They were fearless in their style under Sir Alex Ferguson and had that mindset that they would always – always – find a way to win.
City are showing the same attitude and at the end of the season we will compare them to that United team. Although, I would still put them second in the list of the Premier League’s most dominant teams.
Chris Sutton believes Manchester City will achieve the Treble this season
IAN HERBERT
Unlikely as it may sound, I think United could derail City at Wembley, where the prospect of the Treble alone will create enormous pressure.
If City take the Treble I wouldn’t compare it to United in ’99.
Much of that United squad is built organically, with Neville, Beckham and Butt at the core.
City’s brilliant team is a collection of football’s great talents – beautiful to watch, but a demonstration of what money can buy and pay off, with a world-class manager.
A football machine. City in 2023 and United in 1999 are two very different entities.
Manchester United will be keen to derail City’s Treble dream at Wembley to prevent their local rivals from emulating the Red Devils’ famous performance in the 1998-99 season
Chris Wheeler
It will take something special to prevent Manchester City from winning the Treble now. Maybe Arsenal, still.
Or Real Madrid. But Manchester United will be thankful they have a say in City’s attempt to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 heroes.
The two Manchester clubs clash for the first time in the FA Cup final and United could find themselves in the same situation as in 1977 when Tommy Docherty’s underdogs won at Wembley to deny Liverpool the Treble.
Form goes out the window on June 3 — just like it did 46 years ago.
The title race is not over for Arsenal despite the Gunners losing points in the last three games
PIE JENSON
If anyone can stop City’s Treble, it’s Real Madrid, in the league they call their own.
The prospect of a 15th European Cup has been the focus for Carlo Ancelotti’s side for some time now and league games are simply used to keep everyone’s engines spinning.
Veterans like Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have all timed their physical peaks perfectly. And young talents such as Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga make Madrid the only Spanish team able to physically match their Premier League rivals.
The fans are confident, but there are concerns about the first leg coming just three days after the Spanish Cup final and Eder Militao missing it due to suspension.
Man City will need to get past Real Madrid in the Champions League, who have mastered the competition and hope to lift the trophy for the 15th time this season
DANIEL MATTHEWS
There is perhaps only one ounce of optimism to be found among the rubble of Arsenal’s collapse: they now head to Manchester City with a clear mind.
Mikel Arteta and his players know that if they want to maintain any realistic hope of winning the title and thwarting City’s Treble bid, victory is their only option. That could paralyze this young side. Or it can set them free.
Arteta’s side has to go for it.
LEWIS STEEL
The biggest obstacle for Pep Guardiola right now is Pep Guardiola himself.
The Catalan exaggerating his tactics has been well documented in recent years. Guardiola did not play a defensive midfielder in the 2021 Champions League final, despite either Rodri or Fernandinho making 59 of City’s 60 appearances that season.
Before Saturday, City had also lost three FA Cup semi-finals in a row with changing selections – so Guardiola was lucky to be drawn this time against Championship opposition, Sheffield United.
City have been close to Trebles in recent seasons leading up to May, but this year feels different.
They are no longer just an offensive monster, but now also a defensive juggernaut.
If City play the best they can, they’re favorites for every game… so why not dream?
Guardiola could be his own biggest obstacle after thinking too much about big games in recent years