Manchester City have a shot at history: A treble looms large

Back in July 2009, as Manchester City began their quest to join English football’s elite, one man could not have been more dismissive.

‘They are a small club with a small mentality,’ said Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United. ‘All they can talk about is United. They can’t get away from it.’

If Ferguson sounded superior, he had reason. United were the champions of England that year and the gap to City in 10th place was 40 points.

Sir Alex Ferguson dismissed Manchester City when rivals United became champions in 2009

But nine years on City’s current crop are flying high and have the chance to win the treble

But almost nine years on, it is at last becoming appropriate to speak of City and Ferguson’s great United teams if not quite in the same breath, then at least in the same sentence.

Victory against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, then against Stoke and Everton, would leave City able to just about clinch the title with a win over United on April 7. Only a subsequent goal-difference swing of about 30 goals would stop them.

By then City will be competing in the last eight of the Champions League, having already won the Carabao Cup. A shot at a treble would loom large.

On the red side of Manchester, they will shrug their shoulders. A real treble is the one they won in 1999 and it includes the FA Cup, not its junior cousin won by City last Sunday.

Having won the Carabao Cup, City can still win the Champions League and Premier League

Nevertheless, comparisons between that great United team and Pep Guardiola’s City are fast becoming valid.

At the moment, the weight of the argument still sits with United.

Martin Keown states that Ferguson’s squad of 1999 was slightly superior and that United side won three league titles in a row. Greatness, we should remember, is earned over time. However, the manner in which City are about to win this year’s version feels ominous.

Back in 1999, United won the league on the last day, coming from behind to beat Tottenham and edge Arsenal out by a point.

United will argue their 1999 title included the FA Cup, rather than the League Cup like City

Former United captain Roy Keane recalled in his first autobiography: ‘Beforehand I had a low-level anxiety in my gut, as though it could have been one of those days when it didn’t happen.’

City, on the other hand, have been strolling to Guardiola’s first Premier League title since they opened their season with 18 wins from 19 games.

Already, City are within four points of United’s 1999 winning total of 79 and still have 10 games to go. City have scored 82 league goals in 28 games while United finished that season with 80.

It is the weight of these statistics — coupled with the style of City’s football — that goes furthest to open up this debate.

Much of the focus this week has been on Arsenal, after consecutive defeats by City, but would any other team have been able to beat Arsene Wenger’s side 6-0 on aggregate when neither game was played at home? Very unlikely.

This City side are breaking records as they go and are within four points of United’s 1999 total

They have also scored 82 league goals in 28 games while United managed 80 for the season

In Guardiola’s dressing room, they do not talk of a treble. For all City’s progress this season, the Champions League remains very difficult to win.

After Thursday’s win at Arsenal, thoughts turned to Chelsea and there are landmarks to be reached in that context, too. Sunday’s opponents hold the Premier League points record — 95 in 2004-05 — and goals record — 103 in 2009-10.

Asked about this, Kevin de Bruyne, once of Chelsea, said: ‘If we win every game we will probably beat that record, but it is tough.

‘We want to be champions, we are trying to achieve that and if it’s possible in the next five games that would be nice because we can concentrate on the Champions League. But obviously it’s tough, we have a lot of big games coming up.’

Spending the last month or so of a season concentrating on one competition was a luxury not available to United 19 years ago. For Ferguson’s players, three trophies were clinched in the space of 10 incredible days.

‘The closer we came to the dream of winning, the closer we were to the nightmare of blowing a season’s work,’ wrote Keane.

For City, it will not be similar. It is likely Guardiola will wrap up the second trophy of this fantastic season soon. That could be key.

Since Ferguson dismissed their challenge in 2009, City have answered most of the questions: two Premier League titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup.

They are already the best team in the country and over the coming weeks they will have the opportunity to be judged against history, too.

MARTIN KEOWN ANALYSIS

Manchester City are on their way to being a dominant force but Manchester United’s 1999 treble-winners would beat them.

I was part of the Arsenal side who finished a point behind United that year. That Gunners team was one of the best I played in, but United beat us in an FA Cup semi-final replay despite being reduced to 10 men, thanks to a moment of magic from Ryan Giggs.

United always had one player who would do something special to dig out unexpected results. Here is how the sides compare…

GOALKEEPERS

Peter Schmeichel was one of the Premier League’s finest keepers. He was such a daunting figure for strikers.

The years he spent at the top should be a blueprint for Ederson at Manchester City. The Brazilian does not often have much to do but always catches the eye. He played some of the best passes at the Emirates on Thursday!

CENTRE BACKS

Jaap Stam was probably the best centre half of that generation, but where Vincent Kompany has the edge is in his ability to return from injury and still be one of the League’s best. He is forming a formidable partnership with Nicolas Otamendi.

FULL BACKS

With Gary Neville, it was like facing two right wingers. Kyle Walker is a better player but I don’t think he is as influential behind the scenes. Fabian Delph’s adaptability to left back has been remarkable but I would pick Denis Irwin. I cannot remember him giving the ball away. He was the most underrated Premier League player.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

Roy Keane was pivotal to United’s success, while Paul Scholes was one of the cleanest strikers of a ball in the country.

Kevin De Bruyne is as influential as Keane in a different way. While Roy was an enforcer who could play, De Bruyne drives with his football. He and David Silva are becoming the new Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Behind them, Fernandinho is like a keeper playing in midfield, always there to rescue his side.

WINGERS

David Beckham’s ability to whip in the ball was second to none. He put it on a plate for strikers. Raheem Sterling is a different kind of player, using his pace to run in behind. His finishing has improved and he is no longer frightened by chances.

There is a real similarity between Giggs and Leroy Sane. Both are players with a spellbinding ability to beat players.

Sane is touching greatness. He will get there if he creates big moments in huge games.

FORWARDS

Pep Guardiola wanted more from Sergio Aguero and he has responded to the challenge. His next goal will be his 200th for City and he is adding more assists, too.

Where United were so strong was with four strikers all competing to be top dog.

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke would run the legs off you, then Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would come off the bench with a point to prove. And their finest hour in the Champions League final was delivered by those two substitutes.

VERDICT

City can be as dominant as the great Liverpool and United sides but winning trophies gives teams an extra layer of armour. That is what City would discover if they faced Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble winners today.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk