Manchester divided as United face City
As a part of Manchester United’s treble-winning team of 1999, Gary Neville admits he is in fear ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup final.
United are the only team to win the three major trophies in a single English football season – the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup.
Now bitter rivals Manchester City are in contention to replicate that feat, having already secured the league title.
City have the chance to win their second trophy this season when they face United in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, which would set up a possible treble when the team coached by Pep Guardiola meets Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 10.
‘‘I do fear it is on the cards,’’ Neville said. ‘‘City have not got there yet, but they look like they are on the way, on the path.
‘‘They’ve got a great manager, they’ve got great players, but they’ve still got to get over the line. Anything can happen and we just pray and (have our) fingers crossed. It doesn’t bear thinking about.’’
City have overtaken United as English football’s dominant team over the past decade and have just won their fifth league title in six years. But the club has yet to match United’s greatest ever achievement, and has yet to ever win the European title.
And now United have the chance to end their rival’s trophy pursuit at Wembley tomorrow.
United manager Erik ten Hag has enjoyed an impressive first season in charge, having led United to success in the League Cup in February, as well securing a return to the Champions League next season.
But Neville still considers City the favourites in the final.
‘‘I think they will almost be disappointed now if they don’t win it [the treble],’’ Neville said. ‘‘They’ll be expected to win every game.
‘‘The cup final might present an issue or two, it is Manchester United, but they are far better than the teams they’ve got left to play.’’
City put together an unstoppable run to win the title and have blown away some of the best teams at home and abroad in their charge towards the treble.
Liverpool and Arsenal were beaten 4-1 and Real Madrid lost 4-0 at Etihad Stadium in the Champions League semifinals.
Former City women’s player Jill Scott believes City will be too strong for United. ‘‘I went to the Arsenal game and it could have been 7-0,’’ she said. ‘‘The football they played was incredible.
‘‘I can’t see City not coming away with that FA Cup win. Sometimes in a one-off game anything can happen, but I just think they will be far superior.’’