Gary Neville says Manchester City are over-celebrating.. but admits nobody will catch them
But the Manchester United legend can understand why, when Pep Guardiola's men look so 'special'
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GARY NEVILLE reckons Manchester City are over-celebrating.
But the Manchester United legend can understand why, with Pep Guardiola's men are looking "special" as they march to the title.
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City's blaring music after their 2-1 derby triumph at Old Trafford led to Jose Mourinho sparking a tunnel bust-up that left Mikel Arteta with a cut on his head.
Neville reckons that City's 17 wins from 18 Prem games have created a "wave" of confidence and celebrations that will be difficult to stop.
When asked if he saw any side stopping City claiming the title, Neville told Sky Sports: "It' is very difficult.
"My own view is that United had to damage them at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago. Not only did they not damage them but they came away more confident than they came in.
"That’s a problem. The celebrations after the game, and I noticed it at Huddersfield before the United game, they are over-celebrating. That’s no a criticism.
"When you have that wave of celebration and spirit you feel that it is something that’ll be very difficult to stop. I’m not sure what it could be that would stop them."
While Jose Mourinho has refused to accept the title race is over, Jurgen Klopp reckons everyone else is playing for second place.
Neville added: "There is an acceptance it would seem from a few of the other managers.
"Antonio Conte said a couple of weeks ago that they can’t catch Manchester City. What they’ve done, they would be top of the league in any season in Premier League history.
"They’ve drawn one and won every single other game – it’s unprecedented. They would always be six, seven, eight points clear in any season so the other teams shouldn’t be too hard upon themselves. It is pretty special."
Ryan Giggs won the Treble alongside Paul Scholes and Neville in 1999.
But he doubts that City have the squad depth to keep fighting on all fronts.
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The Welshman explained: "You could see it when we did it - you need a lot of luck along the way. We had a brilliant squad, not only a brilliant team.
"Have City got that type of squad? I’m not too sure if they have. But the starting 11, 12, 13 players, are very good. But it’s very difficult to do.
"To win cup games, anything can happen because you’ve got to change the squad the way they changed it at Leicester and won on penalties.
"They’re on fire but it’s a long season and if they come out of this Christmas period unscathed then they’ll have a good chance."
Fellow United legend Scholes says that it is City's defence that sets them apart from their title rivals.
He said: "What they’re doing now is special. I think we all though at the start of the season that they would without doubt play the best football.
"It was whether they could manage to keep it tight at the back and they’ve managed to do that, which has been a problem for everyone else.
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"The only thing that could stop them is injuries to key players like David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne or Leroy Sane.
"It’s whether any of those are out for six or seven weeks and they can cope with that when the time comes.
"On other hand, the teams around them would have to win games and show that when City aren’t at their best they can step up."