Man United have the biggest part to play in Man City's “treble”
A chance to rewrite history.... again.
The treble.
The ultimate prize in English football.
A feat that demands absolute perfection and unyielding determination throughout an entire season.
To claim this triumvirate of titles, a team needs to have an unparalleled level of
skill
stamina
mental fortitude.
Imagine running a marathon, navigating a treacherous obstacle course, and braving a warzone; all rolled into one gruelling campaign.
That’s what it takes to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season. Each competition presents unique challenges, testing the limits of a team’s physical and emotional endurance.
The Premier League is a merciless 38-game slog through a gauntlet of the most uncompromising opposition in world football.
“That is why it is the most satisfying competition if you are able to win it. You play against all the big teams in different circumstances and you have to solve it. It will be no exception in the next two games.”
Pep Guardiola, 2021
Every match is a test of strength and will, a relentless pursuit.
The FA Cup is a heart-stopping knockout tournament where the slightest slip-up can spell disaster. It’s a competition where underdogs can rise to greatness, and giants can fall to defeat.
And then there’s the Champions League, the pinnacle of European football. A test of skill and strategy, where the greatest teams on the continent compete in a series of high-stakes clashes.
Each game is a battle, a war of attrition fought by the most talented players in the world.
To conquer all three competitions in a single season requires a level of excellence that borders on the impossible. It demands a team to overcome every obstacle, push through fatigue and adversity, and emerge victorious when the stakes are at their highest.
But most importantly, it needs inhuman levels of squad depth.
Yet, in the annals of footballing history, few feats can compare to the remarkable treble that Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United achieved 23 years ago.
Like a wildfire that started in December and raged until May, the Red Devils’ unbeaten run swept through the EPL and knockout competitions.
It was a time when United were untouchable, dominating every aspect of a game with a ferocity that was both awe-inspiring and utterly terrifying.
They looked like a team that seemed to have been crafted by the gods themselves.
The 1998/99 season was the pinnacle of their success, as they clinched the Premier League title by one point, outdoing Arsenal in the process.
But that was just the beginning.
They went on to conquer the FA Cup, defeating Newcastle United 2-0 in the final, before finally securing the ultimate prize, the UCL, in the iconic match against Bayern Munich.
But the impact of this historic treble was far-reaching, extending far beyond the mere acquisition of silverware.
It was the making of legends, the shattering of expectations, and the rewriting of footballing history.
The team that Ferguson had assembled was an absolute force capable of tearing apart any opposition on any day.
“This is the greatest moment of my life and I'm struggling to take it all in. I haven't said anything to my players yet. I've just hugged and kissed them. I've slobbered all over them."
Alex Ferguson, 1999.
Across Europe, the treble ignited a spark of inspiration, kindling in other teams the desire to reach similar heights.
Manchester United, meanwhile, became a household name again, a symbol of excellence that was known and revered across the world.
For Sir Alex, the achievement was a crowning glory, a testament to his vision, leadership, and ability to inspire his players to reach beyond themselves. Something that seemed to have been downplayed by recency bias from rivals who actively got their childhoods ruined.
But that’s probably a story for another piece.
Today, United may not have the opportunity to repeat that historic run. But they have a chance to again take centre stage in English football; by denying Manchester City the opportunity to clinch their own treble.
Of course, it all hinges on whether City are strong enough to beat Inter in the UCL final - which, let’s face it, isn’t much of a gamble at this point.
It won’t be easy.
The stage is already set for a titanic clash between England’s biggest rivals. It’s a clash of styles, of philosophies, of attitudes. And yet, despite the obvious gulf in quality between the two sides, there is a feeling in the air that anything can happen on that day.
In a sense, United has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Under Erik Ten Hag, they’ve shown flashes of the brilliance that once made them the envy of the football world. Their season has been one of ups and downs, but they know that one good result can change everything.
This year’s FA Cup final shares a surprising number of similarities with the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE between the Greek city-state of Athens and the invading might of the Persian empire.
As a history buff, I’ve always been drawn to this particular event because it perfectly encapsulates the timeless tale of a scrappy, underestimated underdog standing up against a seemingly unbeatable foe.
The Athenians who fought in Marathon weren’t just fighting for their own survival or personal gain; they were fighting for an entire way of life, an idea they believed was worth sacrificing everything for. And in many ways, that is precisely what United will do when they step out onto that pitch.
Sure, winning another trophy this season would be excellent, but the stakes for this team have grown far beyond that. They would be playing for something much bigger;
A statement.
For decades, the red side of Manchester has clung to this treble—a glimmering treasure, an emblem of their unyielding spirit and steadfast perseverance. A symbol of their triumph over adversity, a shining beacon in the face of chaos and tragedy that had befallen the club decades ago. And yes, they’ve basked in the glory of being the only club in England to achieve a treble, a feat that has been etched into the very fabric of their identity.
But as they prepare to face their city rivals in the final, the treble takes on a new significance.
For United, it’s not just about adding another trophy to their already impressive haul; it could be about denying their arch-rivals a historic treble of their own.
It’s a challenge that would daunt even the most battle-hardened of warriors, but United fans can take heart from the fact that their team has already defied the odds this season. They have beaten City before, in a match where no one gave them a chance, and they’ve shown that they have what it takes to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Manchester City represents the nouveau riche, the brash upstarts who have disrupted the established order and threatened to upset the balance of power. But the battle between these two great rivals is more than just a sporting event. I still think it’s a clash of cultures, ideologies, and ways of life.
United represents tradition, history, and the unwavering commitment to excellence that has defined the club for generations.
The Athenians also faced a similar situation when they stood against the mighty Persians at the Battle of Marathon. They fought with everything they had and, against all odds, emerged victorious. It was a victory beyond mere military conquest;
It was a cultural triumph that would shape history for centuries to come.
The echoes of that battle still reverberate through time, a testament to the power of collective action and the strength of a unified people. It was a symbol of the ability of a small, determined group to overcome the most powerful external forces and to defend what they held most dear. And this is what Man United could achieve this season if they could beat City in the final.
It’s almost like a poetic symmetry that is both beautiful and awe-inspiring. The chance to deny City a treble, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, is a dream that most United fans would’ve dared not even dream.
And yet, here they are, with fate in their hands.
Now, if United were to come out on top, it would be a massive win for the club and its supporters. It would put a halt to City’s potential quest for a treble. But more than that, it would mark yet another piece of silverware in Erik Ten Hag’s inaugural season at the helm. And let’s not forget where United came from—the team that conceded six goals in their first two games of the campaign.
Unthinkable.
But the implications of a victory like this go beyond just a trophy. It would send a message to the rest of English football: “Don’t you dare write off Manchester United. They’re still a force to be reckoned with and always will be.”
And that confidence boost? It could be just what the team needs to kickstart the next season.
From a philosophical standpoint, a victory for City would mean many things. You see, United is the only team in England to have won the coveted treble. That accomplishment has become a defining characteristic of who they are as a club, a way to distinguish themselves from other clubs and their supporters.
But in recent years, United’s dominance has been threatened by Manchester City. With their limitless financial resources and world-class talent, City has become a formidable force in English football, consistently winning multiple Premier League titles and always competing at the highest level in European competitions.
For United fans, this has been a bitter pill to swallow - not only have they been surpassed by their rivals on the pitch, but they could also see their treble achievements being overshadowed by City’s success.
But now, they have a chance to play a role in either denying City ultimate glory, or enabling it.
Also. Thanks for forcing me to discover Substack. (I know)
Excellent. If I didn’t already feel the pressure of the final I’m now in tatters. Beautifully written, Oliver.