Our 3️⃣ points as Man City move one step closer to the treble | OneFootball

Icon: OneFootball

OneFootball

Joel Sanderson-Murray·3 June 2023

Our 3️⃣ points as Man City move one step closer to the treble

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Man City move one step closer to the treble

Manchester City completed the double after beating Manchester United 2-1 to win the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Here is what we made of a pulsating day.


OneFootball Videos



Two down, one to go

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Man City move one step closer to the treble

This defeat will really, really hurt Manchester United.

Any cup final defeat will but Manchester City beating them to the FA Cup means Pep Guardiola’s side have completed the league and cup double – and are one step away from completing the treble.

A treble that United completed themselves in 1999. A treble that placed that Sir Alex Ferguson side as the creme de la creme of English football. A treble that has not been achieved by another English side before or since that pre-millenium achievement.

Man City are now just 90 minutes away from matching that feat. If they overcome Inter in the Champions League final in Istanbul next Saturday they will become immortal in the English game.

As for the City fans, they have had some good times in recent years. But maybe it’s never been this good.


Ilkay = clutch

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Man City move one step closer to the treble

They have statues of David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero outside the Etihad stadium.

It might be time to get the concrete out and dedicate one to İlkay Gündoğan.

The City captain stepped up for his team once again, as he always does, to produce the biggest moments at the most important time.

The 32-year-old stunned Wembley by scoring the fastest ever FA Cup final goal after just 13 seconds and never mind it being quick, it’s also one of the best the fixture has ever seen as well.

City needed the German to produce the goods against Everton in their last win before lifting the Premier League title this season, and let’s not forget him scoring twice in that remarkable turnaround against Aston Villa on the last day of last season.

The man for the big occasion. As he was again. City fans will be desperate for him to sign a contract extension so he can continue to front it when they need him most.


Work to do at Old Trafford

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Man City move one step closer to the treble

What could’ve been for Manchester United.

A cup double and a top four finish would’ve represented a sterling season in Erik ten Hag’s first campaign in charge at Old Trafford.

An EFL Cup win as well as qualifying for next season’s Champions League cannot be downplayed, but there is serious work to do for the Dutchman over the summer as his team struggled on the big occasion this afternoon.

United managed to frustrate City for large periods of the game but looked toothless in attack.

The absence of the injured Anthony Martial didn’t help but what difference the Frenchman would’ve made may have been limited anyway.

Marcus Rashford was kept quiet, Jadon Sancho was anonymous and Bruno Fernandes was left unable to make an impact outside of his penalty.

Ten Hag has a solid base to build on after his debut season but the attacking department needs a serious injection of quality.