Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to rivals Man City after they reached their first Champions League final - but teased their possible haul of three trophies would not be “”the real treble”.
City reached the final of Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time thanks to a superb 4-1 aggregate triumph over PSG, completed with a 2-0 win at the Etihad last night.
With the League Cup already secure, Guardiola’s men could be crowned Premier League champions as early as this weekend, leaving the Champions League final against either Real Madrid or Chelsea as a chance to complete a treble of major trophies during the campaign.
Under Guardiola, City won a domestic treble only two years ago, but while this year’s potential hat-trick would be more prestigious, it still falls short of United’s unmatched haul of FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League in 1999 - a fact Ferdinand was quick to point out.
“It’s not the real treble, but it would be a fantastic achievement,” he joked.
“They are [creating history] and they are doing it in a fantastic manner, the way they play football. Listen, I am not a Man City fan, everyone knows that, but I enjoy watching them play football.
“Mahrez, Foden on the other side, Sterling when he plays and you have the likes of De Bruyne, Silva, Gundogan, they are fantastic footballers to watch. The interchange, the fluidity in which they play, it is total, total football.”
