Manchester City have dominated England for several years under Pep Guardiola. They have won four of the last five Premier League titles and have scooped many domestic trophies along the way. This year they have the chance to be the first team since Manchester United in 1999 to win the treble. The league, FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League trophy are all within reach. If City claims all three honors, then they will surely become the greatest Premier League team ever.
City are favourites to finally win the UCL
The UCL trophy has long evaded the grasp of Guardiola’s star-studded team. On many occasions, they have been the clear favorite to win the competition. But each time, City has fallen short of expectations against a seemingly weaker side.
In this campaign, they are again the favorites to advance to the final in Istanbul and achieve European glory. In the Champions League betting odds, they are -150 favorites to win their maiden UCL honor. Paddy Power football offers City as huge favorites to win the Premier League too at odds of -1400. They could defeat their city rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup to help form a historical treble. City is certainly expected to make significant English footballing history this year.
Guardiola has had a strong influence on the English game already. But this season could represent an outstanding peak in his tenure. City could secure the three biggest honors available to a Premier League team. In the process, they could record their third league title in concession. But a potential UCL victory is certainly the most anticipated reward for this incredible City team. If the Blues complete the treble then they will certainly top the achievements of great Premier League teams of the past. But which historic team could find their impressive feats overshadowed by Guardiola’s stars?
Manchester United 1998/99
The United team of 1998/99 is the clear opposition to City becoming the greatest English team of the past 30 years or so. They were the last team to complete the traditional English treble, of the league, FA Cup, and European Cup. In their Premier League campaign, United finished on just 79 points, and the current City team is projected to finish around the mid-90s. Domestically, the great Red Devils team did not have the level of dominance that City has possessed for a number of years.
United produced an unforgettable comeback in the UCL final of 1999, in which they overturned a one-goal deficit in added time as covered at Goal. Bayern Munich was the victim of United’s heroics. The Red Devils defeated Inter Milan and Juventus to reach the final in Barcelona. They certainly did not have a straightforward run and their brilliance in Europe that season cannot be downplayed.
In 1999, Manchester United became the first English side to win the PL, FA Cup & UCL.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 22, 2023
◉ 2nd in the Premier League
◉ UCL semi-final
◉ FA Cup final
24 years later, the Blue side of the city could become the second.? pic.twitter.com/WWj5aXMYKV
Ultimately, City’s potential treble success this season would equal United’s feat back in 1999. However, City’s impressive point tally and dominance over the English top flight is what sets them aside. If City sweeps all three honors at the latter end of this season, then they will cement their status as the greatest Premier League team ever. Three back-to-back title wins culminating with a remarkable treble victory would be one of the greatest achievements in English football’s entire history.
