Pep Guardiola’s slayers vs Sir Alex Ferguson’s Glory Boys… DANNY MURPHY decides who comes out top

Noisy neighbors Manchester City are closing in on Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble achievements of Manchester United, who became the first and so far only team in history to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1998-99.

Danny Murphy, who played against United’s 1999 greats and has covered Pep Guardiola’s magnificent City this season, compares the two excellent teams.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1999

PETER SCHMEICHEL 10

He had an aura even when he was next to him in the tunnel. The best I’ve come across and the best Premier League goalkeeper of all time. A leader who barked orders at teammates and made saves no one else could.

Garry Neville 8

Mister Reliable who loved his club and left everything behind on the field. What he lacked in creativity he made up for in consistency and solidity, especially when defending the far post. Great collaboration with Beckham.

JAPSTAM 9

A real rock. He looked like a terrifying opponent before kick-off, and most of the time it turned out that way. A powerful figure that was always measured on the field. His composure under pressure was a great asset.

RONNY JOHNSEN 8

Very underrated. Not quite on Raphael Varane’s level, but they had similar characteristics in reading the game and having that bit of pace over short distances to make blocks and interceptions. Not vocally.

DENIS IRWIN 10

He was years ahead of his time, scoring and scoring goals long before it became common practice for full-backs. You couldn’t tell he was a right footer on the left side because he was good with both. I was sent away for soiling him.

DAVID BECKHAM 10

Training with England, he was the one who blew my mind. His one-touch was exceptional, even alongside players like Scholes and Gerrard. Forget the celebrity, Becks was world class for crossings, goals and work rate.

ROY KEANE 10

Everything you’ve been looking for in a leader. He had the greatest desire to win matches I had seen. Most would see him as a destroyer, but he was box-to-box in his prime, passing between the lines and running into the final third.

RYAN GIGGS 10

The most decorated in Premier League history for a reason. He was that rarity of a fast and skillful winger who rarely lost the ball. You saw his football intelligence as he transformed into a midfielder.

DWIGHT YORKE 8

Top scorer in United’s Treble season, an achievement given the talent around him. Always played with a smile on his face and could operate as main striker or sink a little deeper and combine with Andy Cole.

PAUL SCHOOLS 9

Genius who could shoot the ball from deep and then play a killer pass to number 10 in moments. Not the fastest, but he intimidated you because he could make you look crazy. Friendliest United player in England.

ANDY COLE 9

One-sided and ruthless. He made aggressive runs to stretch the opponent and if he didn’t get a serve, his teammates would hear about it. I think he was undervalued because he wasn’t the most elegant.

TOTAL: 101

MANCHESTER CITY 2023

EDERSON 9

Perfect for Pep. If the City manager had designed a goalkeeper with the computer, he would have come up with Ederson. He hits the ball better than some field players and holds his concentration well.

KYLE WALKER 9

Best right back in the world one-on-one. Rarely has problems with an opponent, not even Mbappé or Neymar. Has developed at City from fast dynamic athlete to confident footballer.

John Stone 8

Showed great character and resilience not to drop when he seemed to be heading for the exit. You never see him nervous and has performed well in both defense and midfield this season.

RUBEN DIAS 9

Like John Terry, the ball seems to pull towards him like a magnet – a very good quality for a defender. He puts his body on the line and is the organizer and defensive voice City needed after Vincent Kompany stepped down.

NATHAN KE 8

His progress is incredible. I never thought that City would have to have Ake fit for a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, but it’s true. He is hard to get past and has grown in confidence.

BERNARDO SILVA 9

Born as a brilliant footballer, such a naturally gifted player. Technically superior with a low center of gravity. Guardiola knows he can play against him anywhere and he will do well. He is a terrier but should score more.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN 8

Guardiola’s first signing and now captain, he can manipulate the ball in all areas and never hides during the game. It is no coincidence that he scored important goals, like last season against Aston Villa.

JACK GREATISH 9

He is playing the best football of his career and has become the player we always hoped he would. Teams double up against him, so even if he misses goals or assists, he creates space for others.

Rodri 9

He’s a great player, he’s only 26 and if he continues like this he can be as influential as Roy Keane because he’s growing as a leader. The best tenacious midfielder in the world, very reliable with the ball.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE 10

The Federer of football, as he glides down the field. He sees passes that other players don’t see and has the ability to make them. The cooperation with Haaland looks telepathic and he likes a big game.

ERLING HAALAND 10

Gonna be one of the greatest of all time. Now the question is whether he can continue to score more than 50 goals per season, as Messi and Ronaldo did. It is extremely difficult, but not impossible for him.

TOTAL: 98