In case you didn’t hear, Manchester City didn’t just beat Real Madrid last night, they absolutely battered them, booking a place in their second Champions League final just two years on from their last.
Although many might have thought Wayne Rooney’s prediction that Man City would “blow Madrid away” was a bit bold, especially after a much more closely contested first leg, we don’t think anyone was quite expecting the result that Pep Guardiola‘s men delivered on Wednesday evening.
With Bernado Silva putting the Blues 2-0 up with a quickfire double inside 37 minutes before Manuel Akanji and Julián Álvarez rounded off an emphatic 4-0 win, the 13-time European champions looked like a completely different team and basically let the home side romp into the final against Inter Milan.
Moreover, sealing the trip to Istanbul also means that City are now within touching distance of winning a treble. In fact, it’s now so close that despite trying to remain as modest as possible throughout the season, even Pep and his players are starting to admit it’s on their minds.
🗣 "Now the players can visualise it"
Pep Guardiola admits his Manchester City players are thinking about winning the treble 👀pic.twitter.com/XzGqOUmPdO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 18, 2023
Even Pep can’t deny that Manchester City are now dreaming of a treble.
They only need three points from their remaining three games to lift their ninth league title and seventh Premier League in just over a decade, four of those have come under Pep. In fact, even if they only get two more points, they’d still win on goal difference, let alone if Arsenal drop any more themselves.
But what exactly are the chances that the Catalan coach not only lifts his fifth English league title, second FA Cup and third-ever Champions League? Well, if you ask Jamie Carragher, City’s chances were around 75% before the semi-final but are now at 90%.
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Speaking after the game, Jack Grealish said he was too speechless to think about the likelihood but you get the feeling that everyone around the club is now starting to believe it’s going to happen.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 17, 2023
There are seven teams that have won a ‘proper’ treble of the league title, main domestic cup and European cup in football history — Celtic, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan; Bayern Munich and Barcelona (twice each) and, of course, Manchester United — and Pep has already done it once back in 2008/09.
Admittedly, Pep did it one of the greatest teams ever assembled, with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and countless other legends at his disposal. On the other hand, many have already described this current City squad in similar terms, boasting some of the most generational talents on the planet right now.
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Furthermore, with them basically a dead cert to win the league as early as this weekend and 2/7 to beat United in the FA Cup final in a couple of week’s time by most bookies’ estimates, it really does just look like a question of whether or not they can go and win their first Champions League trophy.
Many are already calling it ‘their year’ and despite plenty of fans saying that for the last couple of seasons now, most teams that build towards it like City have, gradually progressing further and further each season, do tend to go on and win it. Especially with stats like this:
Man United's 99' season 🆚 Man City's 23' season
◾️ Man City wins ✅ ◾️ Man City points ✅ ◾️ Man City goals scored ✅ ◾️ Man City goals conceded ✅ ◾️ Man United longest unbeaten run ✅
They’re simply an incredible team, no one can deny that. The only thing you could argue is going against them at this late and seriously convincing stage is that Pep has never won the Champions League at any other club than Barcelona, despite coaching one of the best Bayern Munich teams ever.
City have also been an absolute fortress at home, winning every single home match in 2023 and not losing a single UCL game there for five years, but travelling away to another ground for a history-defining match against three-time European champions is an occasion that could get to anyone.
Furthermore, Inter clearly have a lot of experience in this tournament and, who knows, derby days really are a different beast and Erik ten Hag‘s side has already beaten them 2-1 once this year. Then again, the same team did also get spanked by Pep’s lot 6-3 too…
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For many United fans, a lot of the sentiment seems to be that it’s pretty much inevitable now and they just have to start coming to terms with it; whether they like it or not, it’s now just them and Inter that stand in the way. What do you reckon, are City finally going to do it in Europe and maybe even match United’s sacred treble?
Featured Image — Man City (via Twitter)/Dave (via Flickr)
Sport
A young lad is walking all the way from Manchester to Ibiza for a truly tear-jerking cause
Danny Jones
We recently came across the story of a young man who has set himself the task of walking all the way from Manchester to Ibiza in an effort to raise money for a truly tear-jerking charitable cause.
In case you haven’t heard of him already, the legend responsible behind this is Henry Oscar Moores, a 21-year-old from Macclesfield in Cheshire who is essentially completing a marathon every single day to complete his voyage from rainy 0161 to sunny Spain.
Nearly halfway into his epic trek already, the youngster has been battling plenty of obstacles, not least heavy rain – and that was just here in Greater Manchester…
Going live each day as thousands of followers tune in to support his latest steps, his real-world journey has sparked a wholesome new community online and we’ve got nothing but the utmost respect.
It’s set to take him around 60 days in total, all being well, but what exactly is Henry Moores doing all this for? Or rather who?
Well, the answer is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, as the ‘Henry Walk’ from Manchester to Ibiza is all in aid of the Tony Hudgell Foundation, a charity set up in honour of the now nine-year-old boy of the same name and the youngest ever Pride of Britain winner.
Hudgell was sadly the victim of horrific child abuse ever since he was a toddler, so much so that he had to have both of his legs amputated as a result of the treatment. In 2020, when he was still just five, Tony set out to raise £500 by walking 10k in his prosthetic legs. He ended up amassing £1.8m. Incredible.
With a non-profit officially registered in his name since 2021, the organisation aims to provide support to children affected by physical, emotional or psychological abuse. His story also helped usher in Tony’s Law. Now taking over the reins, Henry is pounding the pavement on his behalf – and smashing it.
He’s even been given an added incentive by Ibiza’s Ocean Beach owner, Wayne Lineker.
Promising to help Henry finish the walk if he makes it all the way to his final 30k leg in Ibiza Town to the famous club – he’s already polished off the 507km from Manchester to Portsmouth and is currently chipping away at the 1818km stint from Caen in France to Denia – Lineker and the likes of radio DJ Charlie Sloth have been backing the effort since day one.
Describing Tony as an inspirational young figure “who captures hearts with his bravery, optimism, and infectious smile”, even despite his daily struggle and constant treatment, we can’t overstate the admiration we have for both of them. He’s already smashed his initial £20k and just keeps going.
“We really appreciate any donations; we know times are tough. Don’t hesitate if you can’t donate; continue to share and support us in any other way. Thanks to everyone for the past couple of weeks; it’s been insane.” You can do your bit by donating HERE or to Tony Hudgell’s operation fund directly.
Featured Images — Henry Moores (via Instagram)/JustGiving
Sport
‘Get off the pitch and shut up’: Jamie Carragher slates Man United trio for behaviour after 4-0 defeat
Danny Jones
Jamie Carragher was left slating André Onana, Mason Mount and Antony dos Santos for their behaviour after the full-time whistle of Manchester United’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace, telling them to “just get off the pitch and shut up“.
The Liverpool legend and ex-England international was in the studio for Monday Night Football as per and didn’t hold back on his criticism of United all evening, labelling the game an “embarrassment” and even going so far as to call them “one of the most poorly coached teams in the Premier League”.
However, it was the behaviour of the aforementioned Man United trio that particularly riled him up from a former player and pundit’s perspective, who cameras caught deliberating over something in the game and covering their mouths with their hands to prevent any lip-reading as they walked towards the tunnel.
No nonsense and no holding back.
He had no time for this kind of behaviour.
Interjecting as Sky Sports host noted Antony, Mount and Onana discussing something, Carragher couldn’t help but interject: “Just get off the pitch! Talking and whispering behind your hand? You’ve been awful!
“[Antony’s] probably talking about one of the players, or somebody else, or the set-up or the manager—just shut up and get in. Honestly, it’s embarrassing.”
These three weren’t even the ones to get the biggest stick either, with Carra clearly having it out for Casemiro following his admittedly poor performance, having once again been deployed as a makeshift centre-back due to the club’s ongoing injury crisis.
The 46-year-old added, “I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level”, going on to advise from one former pro to another ageing one, “Leave the football before the football leaves you”.
"He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move."@Carra23 believes Casemiro should be going to the MLS or Saudi after this season. pic.twitter.com/kHCGe8sUHq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 6, 2024
While it’s still not clear what Antony, Mount and Onana were discussing, Carragher’s thoughts on this United team are clear as day.
Now 32, despite having arrived as somewhat of a crucial saviour figure in the Man United midfielder last season who can still chip in with the occasional goal too – albeit one prone to reckless challenges and the odd injury – it’s fair to say his performances haven’t been great over recent months.
As for his side, they managed yet another unwanted feat under Erik ten Hag after recording 13 losses with Monday night’s result, the most they’ve ever recorded in a Premier League season; the four finishes also saw them reach a total of 81 goals conceded, the largest tally they’ve ever let in.
The result sees the Red Devils sat in 8th just five points ahead of West Ham, who’ve just sacked former United boss David Moyes for the second time, and minus three on goal difference.
Is it time up for the likes of Casemiro and, more importantly, how much of a chance does ten Hag have of keeping his job?
Danny Jones -
18th May 2023 
