Gary Neville says it would be a massive disappointment for Manchester City if they don’t win the treble from this stage
Manchester United icon Gary Neville believes it would be a great let-down for Manchester City if they do not secure a treble this season.
The Cityzens have been crowned English champions this campaign following Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (May 20). Pep Guardiola's side are also yet to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final and Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
🗣️ “I think for [Manchester] City to not win the treble with Manchester United and Inter Milan in front of them would be a massive disappointment.”
@GNev2 says it would be a miracle if Manchester City don’t win the treble from this stage. https://t.co/Wmgw7g0Ft7
Manchester City are set to lock horns with Chelsea in the Premier League at the Etihad on Sunday (May 21). Ahead of their encounter, Neville said on Sky Sports (via Football Daily):
"I think, for City now not to win the treble with Manchester United and Inter Milan in front of them would be a massive disappointment. They're strong favorites in both games. They're in great form. They've got everything going right for them. It would be a miracle if they don't win the treble in my eyes."
He added:
"That's not me putting pressure on them. You look at Manchester City and any team they play at this moment in time. They just destroyed Real Madrid with multiple Champions League winners in their team the other night here [at the Etihad]. So I don't think they're gonna fear Inter Milan, they're not gonna fear Manchester United."
Neville further stated:
"Anything can happen in a final, we know that, but if Manchester City play at their level, then those two teams are in big trouble. And I would say that Manchester City now, I don't know what the odds are for them to be treble winners, but they're odds on favorites."
It remains to be seen whether the Cityzens can pull off the monumental achievement of winning the treble this season.
Gary Neville says Manchester City are 'worthy' of comparisons with 1999 Manchester United team
Neville also claimed that Pep Guardiola and his crop of players at the Etihad are worthy of being alongside the iconic 1999 Manchester United treble-winning team, a side the retired defender was a part of.
He said (via Football Daily):
"I said yesterday in a piece that I did that only Sir Alex Ferguson has ever done this before as a manager. Pep Guardiola would be a worthy companion of Sir Alex Ferguson, and these players that have played this season would be worthy companions."
The Englishman added humorously:
"That doesn't mean I want them to do it by the way, I'd love Manchester United to beat them in the FA Cup final of course, or Inter Milan [in the Champions League final]. But if they were to do it they would be worthy companions because of the levels that they have reached and the level that this manager has reached here."
Manchester City will play Brighton & Hove Albion (May 24) and Brentford (May 28) after their encounter against Chelsea.