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    Man City’s worst transfers in the Premier League era, from flops Boateng and Rodwell to £42m mistake Eliaquim Mangala

    MANCHESTER CITY have invested over £1BILLION in the transfer market over the past decade so, naturally, there are going to be some flops.For every David Silva, Yaya Toure, or Erling Haaland there’s also been an Eliaquim Mangala or Jack Rodwell.
    Three great signings out of four weren’t bad for Roberto ManciniCredit: EPA
    Fortunately for current boss Pep Guardiola, most of the club’s most useless transfers came before the Spaniard brought them continued success.
    Here, SunSport details the five WORST signings City have made in the Premier League era….
    Eliaquim Mangala – £42m (2014)
    Mangala was strongly criticised by the media during his time at CityCredit: AFP or licensors
    Joleon Lescott left the Etihad Stadium after Manuel Pellegrini’s side won the title and Mangala was heralded as a ready-made replacement.
    The defender’s first two seasons saw the club drift away from the top of the table and he was often hammered for poor positioning and slow reactions.
    A solid loan spell at Valencia earned Mangala momentary reprieve under Guardiola but, after 15 appearances, the new boss binned him off before serious injury struck in a 2018 spell with Everton.Jack Rodwell – £12m (2012)
    Injuries curtailed Rodwell’s progressCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Rodwell was an up-and-coming star at Everton but became a symbol of City’s trigger-happy stockpiling when jumping ship at the age of 21.
    There was a problem, however: City already had an excellent set of central midfielders.
    Battling past Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Gareth Barry and Fernandinho was too much for Rodwell and he left after two years and just 25 appearances.
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    Jerome Boateng – £10m (2010)
    It is painful enough seeing a former player go on to great things but City didn’t even get close to utilising Boateng’s full potential.
    Perhaps player and club were doomed from day one, the German tearing a tendon in his knee the week before the season began and aggravating it when a drinks trolley bashed it on a flight.
    A year later, Boateng asked to head back home and was allowed to leave for Bayern Munich – going on to win a World Cup, a Champions League and seven Bundesliga titles.
    Jo – £19m (2008)
    Jo arrived with a great record for CSKA MoscowCredit: Reuters
    A top striker in Russia when snapped up by Mark Hughes, Jo struggled to say the least – scoring once in nine league outings before being moved on six months into his stay.
    A brief upturn in form at Goodison Park gave the Citizens some hope of turning a profit… but a dismal 2009-2010 season on Merseyside dropped him back at City.
    Failing to take another chance the following season, Jo finally left to return to Brazil, having cost much more than Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta combined.Wilfried Bony – £25m (2015)
    Bony was sent back to Swansea in 2016 but couldn’t find form there, eitherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Ten goals in 46 games, only six of which came in the league, is a poor record for any striker, but for an expensive forward at a club aiming to win the title? Terrible.
    The Prem top scorer for the calendar year of 2014, Bony initially couldn’t play for City due to African Cup of Nations duty and a summer bout of malaria came after a quiet start.
    That stunted his hopes for the following year and the club learned their lesson, from then on turning their attention away from signing top players from smaller sides. More

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    The ‘magic potion’ powering Erling Haaland’s record-breaking season for Man City ­revealed

    GOAL machine Erling Haaland’s record-breaking season for Man City is ­powered by milk smoothies laced with spinach and kale.The hitman, 22, posted a snap of himself holding bottles of the green liquid after he scored two against Bayern Munich last week and captioned it: “Me and my magic potion.”
    Erling Haaland revealed how he is ­powered by milk smoothies laced with spinach and kale.Credit: https://www.instagram.com/erling.haaland/
    The Sun previously told how £51million star Haaland feasts on animal hearts and liver for energy and enjoys a pre-match lasagneCredit: Getty
    A source said: “Erling often has smoothies at training which are a mixture of milk, kale and spinach.
    “He takes all the vegetables most people hate and eats them up one way or another because he knows it’s good for him.”
    Norwegian Erling’s dad Alfie, who also played for City, has got in on the act by offering to milk cows in Norway and personally deliver the pintas to his son.
    He wrote online: “Somebody has to do the work so other people can enjoy.”
    READ MORE ON ERLING HAALAND
    His son replied: “Cheers.”
    The Sun previously told how £51million star Haaland feasts on animal hearts and liver for energy and enjoys a pre-match lasagne.
    He follows a strict diet after seeing how doing so has kept Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of his game. More

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    Bayern Munich 1 Man City 1 (1-4): Pep’s side ease to Champions League semi with bad-tempered draw as Tuchel is sent off

    IT promises to be quite some semi-final – the most lethal goal machine on the face of the Earth against the greatest trophy-winning institution in Europe. As Manchester City teed up another classic shoot-out with Real Madrid, Erling Haaland briefly showed signs of fallibility in the Allianz Arena last night. 
    Manchester City eased into the Champions League semi-finalCredit: AFP
    Erling Haaland netted for Manchester City once againCredit: AFP
    The Norwegian skyrocketed a spot-kick, Harry Kane-style into the Gods, but recovered to bury his 48th goal of a murderous campaign.
    Yet anybody who believes Pep Guardiola’s side will coast it to the Treble obviously hasn’t been watching Real very closely.
    The 14-time champions of Europe, who have beaten English clubs in their last five Champions League knock-out ties, will give City one hell of a test.
    Last year they staged an epic comeback – or was it an epic City collapse? – in the Bernabeu to secure a remarkable 6-5 aggregate victory.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    But that was City without Haaland – the extra dimension, the missing link, the free-scoring Norseman of the Apocalypse.
    Oh and City are at home in the second leg this time, which could make all the difference.
    Say what you like about the filthy money at play in the elite end of European club football but in pure sporting terms this upcoming two-legged tie promises to be an absolute treat.
    Carlo Ancelotti, with four European Cups, will have been licking his lips while watching Bayern tear into City last night.
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    While a fuming Thomas Tuchel was sent offCredit: AP
    The ex-Chelsea boss watched the rest of the game from behind the dugoutCredit: Reuters
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    Guardiola is insisting on playing four specialist centre-halfs and Ancelotti will be wondering if he dares do the same against wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who snatched away glory from City last season.
    Surely there will be a recall for Kyle Walker against Vincius?
    That, and plenty of other intriguing questions, will be answered in May. As for last night, City showed a decent amount of steel to get past Germany’s perma-champions without any serious scare.
    Bayern centre-half Dayot Upamecano has suffered a personal nightmare in this tie.
    Here, he was red-carded then reprieved; he conceded a penalty only for Haaland to miss it; then he slipped and allowed the Norwegian to thump City ahead on the night, effectively sealing the deal.
    Joshua Kimmich scored the equaliser from the penalty spotCredit: AP
    After ten straight wins in all competitions, Guardiola made the unusual decision not to do anything unusual and picked the same team that stuffed Bayern 3-0 last week.
    That had arguably been City’s best performance in a Champions League match and it had been more than six years since they’d lost by the four-goal margin Thomas Tuchel’s men required.
    But Bayern are so used to winning that the Allianz Arena – this mighty spacecraft, with its permanent whiff of curried bratwurst – always holds a certain belief.
    Tuchel recalled on-loan City full-back Joao Cancelo, farmed out after a bust-up with Guardiola in January, and he was booked after a toasting from Bernardo Silva.
    After a bizarre four-minute delay to the kick-off, while ref Clement Turpin got himself miked up, Bayern were quick out of the traps, though – Kingsley Coman’s pace giving makeshift left-back Nathan Ake a few headaches.
    Jack Grealish was rightly delighted at the endCredit: PA
    Erling Haaland takes it all in from the visiting supportCredit: PA
    Then when Jamal Musiala picked out a peachy pass, Leroy Sane – recovered from a dressing-room biffing from Sadio Mane at the Etihad – sped past John Stones but shot just wide of the far post.
    But City soon thought they had reduced Bayern to ten men.
    Kevin De Bruyne’s through-ball sent Haaland bearing down on goal and the great blond bomber checked his run, inviting the trip from Dayot Upamecano.
    The French centre-half had endured a shocker in Manchester and when Turpin showed red, it looked as if the tie was done and dusted within 20 minutes of the return.
    But the ref had not spotted an offside flag, which VAR upheld, so Upamecano survived.
    Tuchel was booked for gobbing off and Ederson was soon turning a Sane free-kick round the post.
    Then came Upamecano’s second major let-off, as Ilkay Gundogan’s curling shot deflected off the centre-back’s arm and Turpin pointed to the spot.
    Bayern were left to contemplate their quarter-final exitCredit: Reuters
    Haaland, who had scored all seven of his City penalties, stepped up and ballooned it.
    The place went wild and Bayern continued to attack with pace and purpose, exploiting City’s makeshift full-backs, but unable to find a way past Ederson, who pushed away a Coman effort.
    But 12 minutes into the second half, Bayern were undone by an extraordinary end-to-end sequence.
    Coman had gone on a teasing run and shot across the face of goal, where Stones launched a long ball at Haaland.
    The City centre-forward chested down for De Bruyne, who returned the favour with a cute pass which put Haaland one-on-one with his bunny Upamecano.
    Naturally, Upamecano fell flat on his jacksie and Haaland leathered it past Yann Sommer, to be greeted by a hail of plastic beer tumblers.
    It was Haaland’s 35th goal in 27 Champions League appearances. This is a thoroughbred competition, yet he continually makes mincemeat of it.
    Mane replaced Sane without smacking him one on the way off and Guardiola sent on Aymeric Laporte for Ake, his fifth centre half of the evening.
    Read More on The Sun
    Bayern grabbed a consolation, and a second-leg equaliser when Josh Kimmich converted a late penalty after a Manuel Akanji handball.
    Tuchel was sent off for a second yellow card but Guardiola is serenely through for a summit meeting with Ancelotti. More

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    Fuming Man Utd and Man City fans in revolt over ‘crazy’ campaign to make the clubs ditch their historic badges

    FANS of Manchester United and Manchester City are in revolt over a “crazy” campaign to make them ditch their historic club badges.The crests feature a ship — which Left-wing critics say symbolises the slave trade.
    A campaign to ditch the ship in the badges of Man United and City was slammed as ‘woke nonsense’ – pictured Harry Maguire of Man UnitedCredit: Getty
    The bid comes amid claims it highlights slavery – pictured Jack Grealish of Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    Local experts say it actually represents the city’s proud free trade history.
    Local MP Graham Stringer said: “Manchester had nothing to do with the slave trade.”
    The campaign was denounced as “woke nonsense” yesterday.
    Fans, politicians and historians insisted the three-masted vessel was a proud symbol of the city’s global free trade links and must stay on shirts.
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    Left-wing critics have called for its removal — despite slavery being abolished in this country long before United or City were formed.
    Both clubs refused to comment but last night sources stressed they had no plans to modify their crests, which branding experts said would cost millions.
    Local Labour MP Graham Stringer said the “crazy” claim tarnished the northern city’s proud history of anti-discrimination.
    He added: “Manchester had nothing to do with the slave trade.
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    “People from the city at the time of the US Civil War in 1861 ­protested against slavery.
    “This is one of the craziest campaigns I have ever seen.”
    Guardian commentator Simon Hattenstone yesterday questioned whether the ship was a symbol of a “crime against humanity”.
    He said the area’s cotton mills thrived as a result of the crop picked by US slaves.
    The newspaper has recently apologised for what it considers to be its own links to the slave trade.
    He wrote: “The ship has nothing to do with football and everything to do with the business from which Manchester made its money.
    “The product of slavery became so ­subtly embedded in our culture that we celebrated it in our club badges even without realising it.”
    However local experts said ­Lancashire mill workers at the time refused on principle to deal with cotton picked by slaves.
    United historian JP O’Neill, who authored Red Rebels: United and the FC Revolution, said of Hattenstone: “His ‘logic’ is as ridiculous as it is contradictory.
    “Not only did the club badges long post-date the abolition of slavery, the clubs themselves were only founded decades after slavery was ended.
    “The first ship to arrive in Manchester came in 1894 with the opening of the Ship Canal.
    “In Manchester, cotton workers during the American Civil War refused to work with slave-picked cotton, ­putting their livelihoods at risk.”
    Tory MP Katherine Fletcher, who is from Wythenshawe and a United season-ticket holder, added: “I’ve always seen the ship logo as a symbol of our industrial trading heritage.
    “Manchester people are some of the most even-handed and welcoming in the world.”
    Historian Jonathan Schofield added: “It’s a symbol of free trade.
    “The idea is we will have equality throughout the world because ­people will have the same rights to do business with each other.”
    It is claimed the ships derive from Manchester’s coat of arms, adopted in 1842.
    That was 35 years after the slave trade had been outlawed in the British Empire.
    Manchester City was not established in its current form until 1894 while United switched from Newton Heath in 1902.
    Fans at the stadiums yesterday advised campaigners to steer clear of their club’s badges.
    Pilot Mike Goldstein, 57, who has been going to City games since he was eight, said: “It’s just woke nonsense.
    “You can’t keep on going back.
    “It’d be like being mad at the Italians for the Roman Empire.”
    Sitting on a bench outside Old Trafford, Man United fan Peter Shaw, 34, said: “It’s ridiculous to remove it.
    “It’s celebrating the Ship Canal and nothing to do with the slave trade.”
    Pallet fitter Joe Burazin, 21, added: “It’s part of the club’s heritage.
    “These people should keep their hands off.”
    Chef and United fan Jamie Parkhouse, 37, said: “People are rightly asking questions about the slave trade but this shouldn’t be one of them.
    “The badge is about the Manchester Ship Canal and not slaves.
    “To link the badge and the slave trade is so over-the-top.”
    Fans also vented online.
    One tweeted: “It’s a picture of a ship not a ‘slave’ ship.
    “Why do you lot continually try and find offence when none is there? Pathetic.”
    James Delaney added: “So not really a symbol of slavery at all.
    “More like a symbol of early global commerce and Britain’s dominance of it.”
    A branding expert warned modifying the badges would cost millions.
    It comes after other sports teams including the NFL’s Washington Redskins have changed their name after criticism from indigenous groups.
    Nigel Currie said: “It would be a huge and expensive operation to change the United and City club crests.
    “They have been around for decades and every replica shirt ever sold has them — literally millions of shirts which can’t be changed.
    “The link with slavery is not nearly as strong or as clear as other potentially damaging historical links for sports teams.
    “The cost to the clubs would be extremely high and the rationale for changing doesn’t sound strong and indeed there is debate over what the actual ships represent.
    “While that debate remains, a change would seem unlikely.”
    Last month The Guardian revealed that its founder John Edward Taylor was partners with companies which im­ported cotton picked by slaves.
    At least nine of his 11 financial backers also had links to slavery.
    Last night, Luthfur ­Rahman, the deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re an industrious, international, multicultural city and have long been so.”
    Work is under way to explore its past.
    Read More on The Sun
    He added: “We’re in the ­middle of a long-term project that began in 2020 to highlight and reflect on aspects of the city’s past, including the city’s black history and connections to the slave trade.”
    Both clubs refused to comment as sources stressed they had no plans to modify the crests – pictured Manchester United’s badgeCredit: Getty Images
    Fans, politicians and historians insisted the vessel was a proud symbol of the city’s global trading links – pictured Manchester City’s badgeCredit: Manchester City FC
    Pilot Mike Goldstein, 57, who has been going to City games since he was eight, said: ‘It’s just woke nonsense’Credit: Byline Pictures Ltd More

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    Thomas Tuchel SENT OFF for touchline antics as Bayern Munich are dumped out of Champions League by Man City

    BAYERN MUNICH boss Thomas Tuchel was SENT OFF during his side’s Champions League clash against Manchester City.The ex-Chelsea gaffer was sent to the stands by the ref on 85 minutes after screaming in anger over a decision.
    Thomas Tuchel turns away in disgust after the ref sends him offCredit: Getty
    Tuchel was forced to watch the rest of the game behind the dugoutCredit: Reuters
    Tuchel was fuming over a foul by Man City defender Aymeric Laporte on Kingsley Coman which he was booked for.
    But Tuchel’s continued rage saw ref Clement Turpin stroll over and brandish a second yellow card to the 49-year-old.
    Former England and Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock was left confused with the German’s reaction.
    He told BBC Radio 5Live: “I just don’t understand it because Laporte was always going to get a yellow card.
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    “He’s just animated and we called it in the first half, he’s got to go.”
    Tuchel was shown his first yellow in the first half as passions ran high in the Allianz Arena.
    He watched the last five minutes of the game behind a steel barrier – with his team without any realistic chance of progression to the Champions League semis.
    Bayern had equalised on the night for 1-1 through a Joshua Kimmich penalty just before Tuchel’s misdemeanour.
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    That goal cancelled out Erling Haaland’s 57th-minute strike – the Norwegian making amends after missing a penalty in the first 45.
    Pep Guardiola’s side went through 4-1 on aggregate, their dominant showing at the Etihad proving too big a hurdle for Bayern to overcome.
    They will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals, the Spaniards easing to a 4-0 aggregate win against Chelsea in their quarter-final clash.
    And according to former City and Bayern star Owen Hargreaves, destiny is in their own hands.
    Speaking on BT Sport, he said: “Credit Manchester City and Pep Guardiola they are in a great place right now, definitely favourites to win the Champions League.
    “Over the two legs they were the better side. This is such a dominant team in every phase.”
    Thomas Tuchel was left raging at what he thought were bad decisions by the refCredit: Getty More

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    Paolo Wanchope says Erling Haaland can win Champions League for Manchester City

    PAOLO WANCHOPE says Erling Haaland can win the Champions League for Manchester City – because he’s a chip off the old block. When the striker was in nappies at just one month old, his dad Alf-Inge Haaland and Wanchope, were tearing it up at the club. 
    Paolo Wanchope played alongside Alf Haaland at Manchester City in 2000
    In July 2000, Alf-Inge joined City from Leeds in a £2.5million deal.
    Wanchope then became a record signing for a club preparing to play top-flight football for the first time in more than four years when he arrived for £3.65m at the start of August.
    And the duo enjoyed dream home debuts against Sunderland in May 2000.
    Costa Rica forward Wanchope combined with Haaland to complete a hat trick that day and also became the provider for the right-back to score in the 4-2 win at Maine Road. 
    Paulo Wanchope, speaking on behalf of 888sport said: “The atmosphere at Maine Road that day was crazy. 
    “To score three goals and to set up Alf, made all the fans go crazy. 
    “It was a great start for us both at home. I felt that connection with the people and now when I have the chance to go back to see City play the fans always remember me and treat me like I’m still playing.
    “Alf was a very competitive guy. I love seeing his son now competing and giving 100 percent like his dad used to give. 
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    “I remember Alf was a great professional, had a lovely personality to be around and to train with. I have great memories with him.”
    Wanchope has rubbed shoulders with some of the Premier League’s finest over the years, including Paolo Di Canio at West Ham and Robbie Fowler at Manchester City. 
    He scored 12 goals for the Hammers in a team also featuring the emerging talents of Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick.
    But he doesn’t know how Pep Guardiola would have coped if he had both him playing and Erling Haaland at City. 
    Wanchope added: “I played alongside great players, Di Canio, Fowler. 
    “I don’t know if me and Haaland could play together or not, that depends on the style. At the moment Guardiola could try me or Haaland but of course he would have to start Haaland!
    “He is incredible. A big striker and one of the best right now. He will improve even more at City with Guardiola and on the coaching staff.
    “They have a good chance to go all the way in the Champions League and play in the final and win it now with a top striker.”
    Wanchope has even recommended that Guardiola and his players listen to salsa music before their quarter-final second-leg tie with Bayern Munich to calm any nerves – despite them already being 3-0 ahead. 
    Afterall it was salsa music that formed the backdrop of the day that would change Wanchope’s life forever. 
    It helped him score a dazzling strike at Old Trafford, on the day he made his bow in English football for Derby County in a famous 3-2 victory.
    He cut Manchester United to ribbons, shimmying past Nicky Butt on halfway, dancing infield with the ball glued to his feet.
    He glided past Phil Neville and outmuscled Gary Pallister before rifling a low drive beyond Peter Schmeichel and into the goal.
    Wanchope said: “I will never forget what the manager Jim Smith did.
    “I was really anxious to play the game. The night before that game I couldn’t sleep. 
    “I woke up every two or three hours because I was really anxious. 
    “I always say it was really good from Smith when he asked me when we were going to Old Trafford what kind of music I like and I said to him salsa music.
    “He put it on the couch and the boss, and everyone was trying to dance salsa so that was really special from Smith. 
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    “Maybe City should listen to some salsa music to relax before Bayern Munich like I did before my debut.”
    Paulo Wanchope, was speaking on behalf of 888sport. Head to 888sport for the latest football odds. More

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    I fell out with Arteta and his Arsenal staff over their touchline antics – I hope Man City win the title

    MIKEL ARTETA and his coaching staff have no love lost with former Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.Robinson faced off against Arteta and Co when Arsenal paid Oxford a visit in the FA Cup third round.
    Karl Robinson is not Mikel Arteta’s biggest fanCredit: Getty
    He explained Arteta’s antics when Arsenal faced Oxford left a sour tasteCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But despite losing 3-0 – courtesy of a brace from Eddie Nketiah and a Mohamed Elneny header – it was the antics of Arteta and his staff, rather than his team’s performance, which riled up Robinson.
    Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I have seen it first hand (Arteta’s antics), it isn’t necessarily always him though.
    “I think there is one or two behind him that don’t conduct themselves great at time, which I was shocked by.
    “Listen, they were moaning at us for going down and wasting time. I tell you what, we will play Arsenal, right, and we will give you all the ball, 95 minutes.
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    “We are obviously going to be looking to set-plays and taking more long throw-ins.
    “It is part and parcel of what we have to do, but you are better than us. Then, they were having ago at me for doing that.
    “I think I said one or two things and I might have been wrong. They were calling me all sorts it was quite funny.
    “One of his staff members was calling me a cheat, this, and that, and I said ‘thank you.’”
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    Arsenal would be knocked out of the competition by title rivals Manchester City in the fourth round, and Robinson also hopes Pep Guardiola can clinch the title ahead of his former pupil.
    Robinson declared: “I want City to win it [the title], because of Guardiola.”
    And asked whether his rationale came down to his fractured relationship with Arteta, he added: “Yeh, probably. 
    “I just love Pep Guardiola and I’m just addicted to watching Man City play. I respect what Arsenal have done, they have been outstanding.
    “Without what Arsenal have done this season, the league would have been completely boring. It will go down to hopefully the last few games.
    “That’s why we do have the best leagues in the world, and part of that is having competition for Manchester City over the last three or four years and they are certainly going to do that.”
    Arsenal’s gap to City is now down to just four points after they threw away another two goal lead against West Ham.
    Consequently, the clash between the pair on April 26 has grown to be potentially the most pivotal game of the season. More

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    Gary Neville fears Man City will match Man Utd’s historic treble as Arsenal’s title race hits the rocks

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville has revealed his fears that neighbours Man City could pull-off the Treble.The former England defender was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary side that lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999.
    Man Utd pulled off an incredible Treble in 1999 with title, FA Cup and Champions League successCredit: Getty
    Gary Neville fears that Man City will repeat that success this seasonCredit: Getty
    No English club has been able to repeat that feat since, but the now Sky Sports pundit believes Pep Guardiola’s team are “far too close for comfort” to pulling off the same this term.
    And Neville also insisted that it “is definitely on” as the Cityzens head to Bayern Munich with a 3-0 lead for the Champions League quarter final second-leg on Wednesday.
    Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast on Sky Sports, he said: “They’re purring, they’re playing well, they’re in great form, they’re serious now about it.”
    City beat Leicester 3-1 on Saturday and have closed the gap to just four points on top-flight leaders Arsenal, who they still have to play at home, to four points and have a game in hand.
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    Neville hailed the recent displays of trio of Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne and called them the “best midfield in the league” as well as praising the performances of attackers Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.  
    He added: “They’re settled now – they’re hitting the home straight.
    “The treble was mentioned in the studio […] it’s definitely on. They can do the treble.
    “They can win the European Cup, they can win the FA Cup, they can win the Premier League.
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    “There’s a long way to go [and] they could come up against a team that does them on the way. But they’re very, very close to it. Far too close for comfort!”
    Should City see off Bayern then they will face the winners of Chelsea and Real Madrid, who hold a 2-0 first-leg lead over the Blues, in the Champions League semi-finals.
    And they will be at Wembley this Saturday to face Championship promotion contenders Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final, with United and BRighton contesting the other one the following day. More