Manchester United’s Treble Surpasses Man City’s, Says Former Arsenal Defender

On Saturday, Manchester City sealed an illustrious treble with a hard-fought victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.

Their recent feat, comprising the FA Cup triumph and their third consecutive Premier League title, marked only the second time in English football history that a team has clinched all three trophies.

However, according to former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, Manchester United’s treble-winning season 1999 holds a special place due to the quality of their title rivals.

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Keown argues that United’s achievement stands out because they had to overcome a more powerful Arsenal side 24 years ago. Speaking on TalkSPORT, Keown emphasized that domestic rivalry brings out the best in teams and pushes them to new heights. He pointed out that during City’s recent treble-winning campaign, Arsenal was the main contender in the league, and the competition faded away, allowing City to dominate.

Comparing the two treble-winning seasons, Keown remarked, “Maybe what Man United did… was even more of an achievement because domestically, it was more difficult then.” He highlighted that Arsenal had already secured a double in 1998 and continued to pose a significant challenge to United in subsequent years. Keown emphasized the continuous push from Arsenal that drove United to elevate their performance.

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In contrast, Keown believes that once Arsenal’s dominance waned, Manchester City had an easier path to securing their treble. He acknowledged City’s evolution under manager Pep Guardiola, with tactical adjustments and the emergence of players like John Stones in a midfield role, which contributed to their success.

However, Keown sees City’s recent triumph as just the beginning, emphasizing the quality of their squad and the likelihood of further reinforcements through future transfers.

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